Security System for a Locking Medication Container

ABSTRACT

The present discloser provides methods and systems related to a medication container that may be locked using a locking mechanism. In one exemplary method, a request from a user may be received by a medication provider for a medication. The medication may be placed in a medication container with a locking mechanism that is operable to lock and unlock the medication container. The medication container may be locked using the locking mechanism. The locked medication container with the medication within may be provided to the user. Subsequent to providing the locked medication container to the user, a request may be received from the user to access the medication in the medication container. A credential may be sent to the user that is usable, via the locking mechanism, to unlock the medication container. The user may then input the credential into the locking mechanism to unlock the medication container and access the medication therein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to,U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/571,053, filed Jan. 7, 2022, which is acontinuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. Pat. Application No.16/895,898, filed Jun. 8, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of, andclaims priority to, U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/431,449, filed Jun. 4,2019, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S. Pat.Application No. 16/053,027, filed Aug. 2, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,325,433 issued Jun. 18, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat.Application Serial No. 15/399,106, filed Jan. 5, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,064,788 issued Sep. 4, 2018 all of which are entitled “LockingMedication Containers and Methods of Use Thereof,” the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates generally to medication containers and moreparticularly to systems and methods for utilizing locking medicationcontainers.

BACKGROUND

Many people enjoy travelling to other parts of the world to see newsights and enjoy the local culture. Similarly, the modern business worldrequires many workers to travel abroad to investigate a potential newmarket or meet a foreign client, for example. Visiting a new locale,however, may expose a traveler to novel circumstances or environmentswhich may adversely affect the traveler’s health. For instance, thewater purification technology used at a travel destination may be lessadvanced than that of a traveler’s home city. When the traveler drinksthe water at the travel destination, the traveler may be exposed tobacteria, parasites, or other pathogens that the traveler’s immunesystem is unaccustomed to handling. As another example, certaindiseases, such as malaria, may be common in some regions of the world.When a traveler visits one of those regions, the traveler may be exposedto those diseases to which the traveler might not have otherwise beenexposed. It is not uncommon for a particular travel destination to beassociated with several such factors that may each adversely affect atraveler’s health. Moreover, even ailments common in a traveler’s homecountry may strike when at a travel destination.

In order to allow a traveler to respond while on the trip to suchadverse health conditions caused by various aspects of a traveldestination, a health care provider may supply a medication for each ofthe potential health conditions.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are locking medication containers and methods of usethereof. In one aspect, a method may include receiving, by a medicationprovider and from a user, a request for a medication. The medication maybe placed in a medication container with a locking mechanism that isoperable to lock and unlock the medication container. The medicationcontainer may be locked using the locking mechanism. The lockedmedication container with the medication within may be provided to theuser. Subsequent to providing the locked medication container to theuser, a request may be received from the user to access the medicationin the medication container. A credential may be sent to the user thatis usable, via the locking mechanism, to unlock the medicationcontainer. The user may then input the credential into the lockingmechanism to unlock the medication container and access the medicationtherein.

In another aspect, a method may include receiving, by a medicationprovider, a request from a user for medication. The medication may beplaced in a plurality of compartments in a medication container that isconfigured with a locking mechanism that is operable to lock and unlockeach of the plurality of compartments. Each of the plurality ofcompartments may be locked using the locking mechanism. The lockedmedication container may be provided to the user. A request maysubsequently be received from the user requesting access to themedication in the medication container. A credential may be sent to theuser that is usable, via the locking mechanism, to unlock a subset ofthe plurality of compartments. The user may use the credential with thelocking mechanism to unlock the subset of the plurality of compartmentsand access the medication therein.

In yet another aspect, a medication container may include a plurality ofcompartments, each for holding a medication. The medication containermay further include a locking mechanism operable to lock and unlock eachof the plurality of compartments. The medication container may furtherinclude a display and a processor communicatively connected to thelocking mechanism and the display. The medication container may includea memory, communicatively connected to the processor and havinginstruction that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor toeffectuate operations. The operations may include receiving anindication of a time interval during which a credential may be usablevia the locking mechanism to unlock a subset of the plurality ofcompartments. The operations may further include displaying anindication, on the display and during the time interval, that a usershould provide a user input. For example, the indication that a usershould provide the user input may comprise an indication of thecredential, such as a code. The operations may yet further includereceiving the user input at a time point and, upon a determination thatthe user input matches the credential and that the time point is withinthe time interval, causing the locking mechanism to unlock the subset ofthe plurality of compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is better understood when read inconjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes ofillustration, examples are shown in the drawings; however, the subjectmatter is not limited to the specific elements and instrumentalitiesdisclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1E is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1F is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1G is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1H is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1I is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1J is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1K is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1L is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1M is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1N is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1O is an example illustration of a medication dispenser accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1P is an example illustration of a section view of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1Q is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1R is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1S is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1T is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1U is an example illustration of adapters according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1V is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1W is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1X is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1Y is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1Z is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1AA is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1AB is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1AC is an example illustration of components of a medicationdispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1AD is an example illustration of a medication collection mechanismaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1AE is an example illustration of a software portal according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is an example illustration of a cap of a medication containershown with a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2C is an example illustration of a cap of a medication containershown with a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2D is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2E is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2F is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2G is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2H is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2I is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2J is an example illustration of a disposable component of amedication container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2K is an example illustration of a disposable component of amedication container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2L is an example illustration of a durable component of amedication container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2M is an example illustration of a disposable component of amedication container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2N is an example illustration of a destruction mechanism of amedication container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2O is an example illustration of a medication container accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2P is an example illustration of a grouping of medicationcontainers according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram describing a method for utilizing a medicationcontainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is example illustration of a medication container according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is an exemplary method for utilizing a medication containeraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a block diagram describing a method for utilizing amedication container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is an example diagram of a system for dispensing medicine using amedication container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example telecommunication system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating logic employed by a medicationcontainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating logic employed by a medicationcontainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Described herein are locking medication containers and methods of usingsaid locking medication containers. The container may be provided by amedication provider, such as a pharmacist, physician, or even anautomated medication dispenser. The container may contain one or moremedications or other medical products. One or more of the medications orother medical products included in the container may be determined bythe health care provider according to a travel destination or the typeof medication provided. For example, if the medication is highlyaddictive and subject to abuse, the medicine may be locked inside thecontainer and the container may contain only the prescribed dosage. Themedication container may be unlocked by the patient only after approvalfrom the pharmacist or physician. For example, the pharmacist orphysician may provide a credential or other form of instruction to thepatient that allows the patient to unlock the container and thereby gainaccess to the medication therein.

In describing embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in thefigures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. Thedisclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specificterminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specificelement includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similarmanner to accomplish a similar purpose.

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, and FIG. 1D illustrate an exemplaryembodiment of medication dispenser 100. Medication dispenser 100 mayinclude housing 130, housing lid 132, locking mechanism 134, anddestruction mechanism 136. Housing 130 may be configured to accept acontainer 102. Container 102 may include a container lid 104 and a chute106. According to some embodiments, the housing 130 may include one ormore tamper resistant elements to frustrate a bad actor that may attemptto cut into the medication dispenser 100. For example, the housing 130may comprise one or more tungsten rods or wire mesh to increasedifficulty associated with cutting into the medication dispenser 100.

According to some embodiments, container 102 may be removed from themedication dispenser 100 (e.g., by a pharmacist) and provided to apatient. For example, if a patient visits a pharmacist for a refill, thepharmacist may remove container 102 from the medication dispenser 100and provide the container 102 to the patient. The container 102 mayinclude any remaining medication. In order to store the remainingmedication, the pharmacist may place cap 104 on the medicationdispenser. Moreover, one or more assemblies (e.g., including chute 106)may be removed from the container 102 by the pharmacist. The pharmacistmay replace any removed assemblies or otherwise seal any open lowerportions of the container with a bottom base (e.g., a bottom lid orcap). The bottom base may snap, screw, or otherwise lock to thecontainer 102. This may allow the pharmacist to utilize any pre-existinglabels or markings on the container 102, e.g., by using the container102 to store any remaining medication.

According to some embodiments, medication dispenser 100 may include oneor more short-term (e.g., single-use, disposable, replaceable, and/orrefillable components) and one or more long-term components (e.g.,multi-use, non-disposable, and/or durable components). The long-termcomponents (e.g., housing 130, housing lid 132, locking mechanism 134,and destruction mechanism 136) may remain with a patient throughoutmultiple prescriptions and the short-term components (e.g., container102, container lid 104, and chute 106) may be replaced when the patientrefills the prescription. Components of the medication dispenser 100that come into contact with medication (e.g., pills or capsules) maycomprise short-term components of the medication dispenser 100 andcomponents that do not come into contact with the medication maycomprise long-term components. In an example, a patient may be providedwith the medication dispenser 100 in a state that the medicationcontainer does not include the short-term or single-use components.Alternatively, the patient may already have a medication dispenser 100(e.g., where there is no longer medication stored within the medicationcontainer). The pharmacist may provide the patient with a prescriptionstored in short-term components of the medication dispenser 100. Apharmacist may provide a patient (e.g., in-person, via mail, etc.) witha prescription stored in one or more short-term. The patient may replacethe previously used short-term components of the medication dispenser100 with the new short-term components provided by the pharmacist. Inanother example, a medication dispenser 100 used by a first patient maybe recycled or reused by a second patient after the short-termcomponents of the medication dispenser 100 are replaced.

According to some embodiments, the housing lid 132 may be movablyattached to housing 130 (e.g., hinged). Housing lid 132 may beconfigured to enclose an upper portion of container 102 (e.g., containerlid 104) and/or an upper portion of housing 130. Moreover, housing lid132 may comprise one or more tamper resistant mechanisms, for example,destruction mechanism 136. In some embodiments, housing lid 132 may forma seal against an upper surface of container 102. For example,destruction mechanism 136 may expel a foaming agent into the container102. Moreover, destruction mechanism 136 may destroy the medicationbased on an expiration of the medication. According to some aspects, themedication dispenser 100 may not dispense medication based on anexpiration date associated with the medication.

One or more portions of housing 130 may be configured to enclose thecontainer 102. Moreover, one or more portions of housing 130 may beconfigured to enclose one or more portions of housing lid 132 such thathousing lid 132 may not be opened when housing 130 is shut on closedhousing lid 132 (e.g., or vice versa).

Medication dispenser 100 may comprise a motor 112. The motor 112 may beconfigured to interface with the container 102. For example, thecontainer 102 may comprise a cavity sized to accommodate an extension ofmotor 112.

Locking mechanism 134 may secure the housing 130 in a closedconfiguration so that the medication dispenser 100, housing lid 132,and/or housing 130 are secured in a closed position. According to someembodiments, locking mechanism 134 may comprise a first member and asecond member. At least one of the first member and the second membermay be configured to lock or latch to the other. Moreover, the lockingmechanism 134 may include a solenoid, e.g., to engage a latch. Forexample, the solenoid may lock the locking mechanism 134 in a closedposition.

There may be a plurality of different embodiments of the medicationdispenser 100. For example, a medication dispenser 100 may be suitablefor dispensing medication having a classification of narcotics. In orderto satisfy regulations and/or promote safety, the medication dispenser100 may include one or more of security features (e.g., a lock,fingerprint reader, etc.) and/or tamper-resistant features (e.g., adestruction mechanism). Moreover, internal movement of medication (e.g.,dropping of medication from container 102) may be detected by a sensorof the medication dispenser 100. Moreover, collection of the medication(e.g., by a user) may be detected by a sensor of the medicationdispenser 100.

The medication dispenser 100 may include a data connection (e.g., a SIMcard, GSM chip, Bluetooth interface, etc.). According to someembodiments, the medication dispenser 100 may be programmed,reprogrammed, or initialized (e.g., by a manufacturer, pharmacist,and/or user) by utilizing one or more of the data connections.

As illustrated in FIG. 1E and FIG. 1F, according to some embodiments,the medication dispenser 100 may include a lock 138 that may be unlockedfrom the outside of the medication dispenser 100 (e.g., by a key 140).For example, lock 138 may mechanically engage with locking mechanism134. The lock 138 may be accessible from the outside of medicationdispenser 100 and may include a keyhole through housing 130.

Key 140 may be configured to engage with lock 138. Key 140 and/or lock138 may utilize one or more of mechanical, electrical, and/or wirelesscommunication interfaces. For example, a pharmacist may use the key 140to open the medication dispenser 100 (e.g. when a battery of medicationdispenser 100 is depleted and the solenoid associated with lockingmechanism 134 cannot be operated). As another example, using key 140 tounlock lock 138 may disable any tamper resistant mechanisms (e.g., bymechanically disabling destruction mechanism 136). As illustrated inFIG. 1G and FIG. 1H, according to some embodiments, a tamper resistantsticker 142 may be placed over lock 138, e.g., to provide a visualindication that lock 138 has been tampered with. According to someaspects, a tamper-resistant cover may be placed over lock 138. Forexample, the cover may have one or more one-way tabs that are configuredto break off when the cover is removed. Moreover, the medicationdispenser 100 may include a cover for attaching a medication label tothe medication dispenser (e.g., a label holder cover).The cover may beremovable and replaceable, thereby allowing a dispenser to be reused.The cover for attaching a medication label may have a series of holesdefined therethrough such that when a corresponding component that has aseries of pins which aligns with the series of holes, the series of pinswill go through the label into the series of holes, thereby renderingthe label unreadable. While the cover may be any size, in an embodiment,the cover may be a constant size regardless of the size of thedispenser.

According to some embodiments, the medication dispenser 100 may includeone or more electrical components 143 (e.g., wires, printed circuitboards, etc.). For example, the one or more electrical components 143may be adhesively attached to the tamper resistant sticker 142 and/ormay be affixed or embedded to the housing 130 of medication dispenser100. The medical dispenser 100 may use the one or more electricalcomponents 143 to determine if housing 130 and/or another component ofthe medical dispenser 100 has been breached. For example, the medicaldispenser 100 may apply a voltage or current to the electricalcomponents 143 to determine if a wire (e.g., embedded within a housingof the medical dispenser 100) has been broken.

According to some embodiments, the medication dispenser 100 may includea battery compartment (e.g., a battery carriage tray). The batterycompartment may be secured to the medication dispenser 100 by one ormore fasteners. Moreover, the battery compartment tray may be sealed ormay include one or more raised sides to prevent any chemicals (e.g.,battery acid leaking from a battery) from damaging the medicationdispenser 100. In order to prevent tampering with any batteries and/orthe battery compartment, the one or more fasteners may be accessed onlyby unlocking the device. For example, one or more internal fasteners maysecure the battery compartment to the medication dispenser 100.Moreover, the one or more electrical components 143 may be attached tothe battery compartment in order to detect if the battery compartmenthas been breached or otherwise tampered with. According to some aspects,the battery compartment may hold one or more rechargeable batteries andthe one or more rechargeable batteries may be electrically connected toa charging interface (e.g., wired or wireless).

As illustrated in FIG. 1I, FIG. 1J, and FIG. 1K, according to someembodiments, the medication dispenser 100 may include an access panel144 (e.g., located on a lower front side of the medication dispenser100) for accessing dispensed medication. For example, the access panel144 may include a swing open door (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1I) or aflip-open door (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1J). According to someembodiments, the access panel 144 may include one or more childproofmechanisms. For example, opening the access panel 144 may require one ormore steps and/or exerting physical pressure on a plurality of portionsof access panel 144.

In some embodiments, the medication dispenser 100 may dispensemedication into a tray (e.g., without a door or cover for the accesspanel). For example, the access panel 144 may include a bypass flap maybe engaged to direct dispensed medication into an external tray.Moreover, one or more ramps may direct medication dispensed from one ormore dispensing systems into a single collection tray.

In some embodiments, the medication dispenser 100 may include aninspection window 145 (e.g., a 20 mm by 10 mm molded transparent portionof the housing 130). The inspection window 145 may be adjacent to thechute 106 and/or may facilitate a user viewing medication as it isdispensed. Moreover, the inspection window 145 may faciltatetroubleshooting of any issues (e.g., jamming) associated with themedication dispenser 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1L, FIG. 1M, and FIG. 1N, according to someembodiments, the medication dispenser 100 may include an emergencyaccess panel 146 (e.g., located or lower rear side of the medicationdispenser 100) for accessing emergency medication. For example, theemergency access panel 146 may include a swing open door (e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 1L) or a flip-open door (e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 1M). The emergency access panel 146 may be covered by a barrier.For example, a tamper-resistant sticker may hide or disguise theemergency access panel 146 and/or show that the emergency access panel146 has been opened. For example, a patient may be instructed (e.g., bya pharmacist) to access the emergency access panel 146 if the medicationdispenser 100 fails to properly dispense medication. According to someaspects, the emergency access panel 146 may provide access to anemergency pill storage container (e.g., a disposable medicationcontainer for storing emergency medication). For example, the emergencypill container may be a hinged container that is removable from themedication dispenser 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1O, according to some embodiments, medication 120may be marked with an identification marker 148. For example, theidentification marker 148 may be unique to a specific medication or maybe unique to a particular pill or capsule (e.g., serialized). Moreover,the identification marker 148 may be a barcode, a two-dimensionalbarcode, a symbol, a color or sequence of colors, text, a serial number,or any other identifier of medication 120. The medication dispenser 100may include a camera 150. A user 152 of the medication dispenser 100 maydisplay the medication 120 to the camera 150 after the medication 120 isdispensed by the medication dispenser 100. The camera 150 may identifythe medication 120 based on the identification marker 148. For example,the user 152 may place the medication 120 on their tongue and themedication dispenser 100 may capture a photo or video of the user 152and/or the medication 120. The medication dispenser 100 may identify themedication 120 by using a lookup database to correlate theidentification marker 148 to a particular medication or type ofmedication. Moreover, the medication dispenser 100 may store the photoand/or any other information associated with the identified medication(e.g., date, time, user, medication type, identifier, etc.). Accordingto some embodiments, identification of the medication 120 based on theidentification marker 148 may encourage the user 152 to take themedication 120 at the appropriate time and/or document that the user 152took the appropriate medication at the appropriate time.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing mechanism may be shippedto user 152 (e.g., via mail or a package delivery service) with themedication 120 stored inside of the medication dispenser 100. The user152 may initialize the medication dispenser 100 (e.g., with theassistance of a pharmacist) upon receipt. For example, a pharmacist mayguide the user 152 through an initialization process includingregistering a fingerprint of the user 152. Moreover, refills may beshipped to the user 152, e.g., so that the user 152 may reload themedication dispenser 100. The refills may include the container 102. Thecontainer 102 may be sealed by a tamper evident seal.

According to some embodiments, the medication dispenser 100 may detectthat the tamper evident seal is in place and/or that the container 102has not been tampered with. For example, the medication (e.g., anarcotic) may be shipped to a user in a container 102 including a tamperevident seal. Moreover, the tamper evident seal may include one or moreelectrical components (e.g., wires, printed circuit boards, etc.). Themedical dispenser 100 may use the one or more electrical components todetermine if the tamper evident seal has been breached. For example, themedical dispenser 100 may apply a voltage or current to the container102 to determine if a wire, embedded within a seal affixed to thecontainer 102, has been broken.

In some aspects, electrical components of the container 102 may includeone or more security devices. The medical dispenser 100 may communicatewith the one or more security devices of the container 102 to determineif the medication and/or container 102 are authorized for use by theuser. For example, the medical dispenser 100 may confirm that a securitycode or identifier associated with the container 102 is valid.

If the medication dispenser 100 determines the container 102 has beentampered with based on damage to the tamper evident seal, a trust levelassociated with the user 152 may be decreased. A decreased trust levelmay result in a reduced availability of refills for the user 152.Moreover, the medication dispenser 100 may be reconfigured (e.g.,remotely) based on information associated with the refill (e.g.,medication quantity, type, dosage, etc.).

FIG. 1P illustrates a section view of an exemplary embodiment ofmedication dispenser 100. The medication dispenser 100 includes a motor112 (e.g., mounted in the center of medication dispenser 100). The motor112 may be coupled (e.g., directly or indirectly) to one or moreportions of ring 110 (e.g., push wing 116 or first portion 129illustrated in FIG. 1T). According to some embodiments, an output shaftof the motor 112 may be keyed to the ring 110 (e.g., first portion 129)and/or the push wing 116 so that one or more portions of the ring 110(e.g., first portion 129) and/or the push wing 116 rotate as the outputshaft of the motor 112 turns. Moreover, the motor 112 may move one ormore portions of the ring 110 (e.g., first portion 129) and/or push wing116 in a circular motion about an axis of the motor 112. For example,the first portion 129 and/or push wing 116 may be driven directly by themotor 112. The motor 112 may be a direct current motor or a steppermotor. An amperage draw of the motor 112 may be measured and used tocontrol the operation of the motor 112. As the motor moves one or moreportions of the ring 110 (e.g., first portion 129) and/or push wing 116in a circular motion about an axis of the motor 112, the motor 112 maysense an increase in amperage draw due to a blockage and may reversedirection to clear the blockage. For example, one or more pills orcapsules may become trapped or blocked as the motor 112 moves the pushwing 116. The motor 112 may reverse its direction of rotation to freethe obstruction.

The push wing 116 may be secured to the ring 110 (e.g., first portion129) by a push wing lock 118. In some embodiments, the push wing lock118 may be integrated into the push wing 116. One or more medication 120(e.g., tablets or capsules) may be contained within the container 102. Acontainer lid 104 may be removably attached to the container 102.

The push wing 116 may push an individual medication (e.g., medication120) from the inside of container 102 to a cavity formed on the interiorof an adapter 114. The adapter 114 may be sized to fit within a void orrecess of a portion of ring 110 (e.g., adapter holder 128 illustrated inFIG. 1T). Moreover, the cavity on the interior of the adapter 114 may besized based on the particular medication (e.g., medication 120). Forexample, a large pill or capsule may be associated with an adapter 114having a similarly large cavity to accommodate the large pill orcapsule. Similarly, a small pill or capsule may be associated with anadapter 114 having a similarly small cavity to accommodate the smallpill or capsule. One or more dimensions of the medication may bedetermined based on a name of the medication or a National Drug Code(NDC) number. The one or more dimensions may be used to determine theappropriate adapter 114 and/or adapter holder 128. Moreover, a sizingtemplate including cut-out shapes of different shapes and size ofmedication (e.g., for matching with a physical medication) may be usedto determine the appropriate adapter 114 and/or adapter holder 128.According to some embodiments, the adapter holder 128 and the adapter114 may be referred to as the “adapter assembly.”

As the motor 112 rotates one or more portions of ring 110 (e.g., firstportion 129) and/or the push wing 116, the cavity of the adapter 114 maybecome aligned with the chute 106. When the cavity of the adapter 114and the chute 106 are aligned, the medication 120 may travel through thechute 106 and may exit the medication dispenser 100..

FIG. 1Q, FIG. 1R, FIG. 1S, FIG. 1T, FIG. 1U, FIG. 1V, FIG. 1W, FIG. 1X,FIG. 1Y, FIG. 1Z, FIG. 1AA, FIG. 1AB, and FIG. 1AC illustrate anexemplary embodiment of medication dispenser 100. Medication dispenser100 may include a container 102, a container lid 104, a chute 106, alabel 108, and a medication dispenser 100. Container 102 may include anyhousing that can hold and store medication. Container lid 104 may beoperably attached to container 102 to secure any medication storedtherein. Container lid 104 may be configured to securely attachcontainer lid 104 to container 102. For example, container lid 104 maylock onto container 102 via a locking mechanism including one or moretamper-proof and tamper resistant opening mechanisms (e.g., FIG. 1Q andFIG. 1R).

Medication dispenser 100 may be sized to accommodate a dose ofmedication (e.g., a single pill or capsule) and may be connected orattached to container 102 and/or medication dispenser 100. Moreover,chute 106 may be sized to accommodate a dose of medication (e.g., asingle pill or capsule) and may be connected or attached to container102 and/or medication dispenser 100.

Label 108 may be made of any suitable material and may be formed as partof any other component of medication dispenser 100 (e.g., container 102,container lid 104, chute 106, and/or label 108). Label 108 may specifyone or more of the type, size, or quantity of a medication. Moreover,label 108 may include any regulatory and/or compliance information.Label 108 may include dosage and/or warning information.

One or more of container 102, container lid 104, chute 106, andmedication dispenser 100 may be made of a type of material that islightweight, but durable. Container 102 may need to be light enough tocarry, but durable enough so that it would be extremely difficult tobreak. For example, container 102 may be made of carbon fiber, a metalsuch as aluminum, a hard plastic such as PVC, and the like. Moreover,one or more components of medication dispenser 100 (e.g., container 102,container lid 104, chute 106, and/or label 108) may be formed (e.g., incombination) as a single unit or component.

FIG. 1T illustrates a section view of an exemplary embodiment ofmedication dispenser 100. According to some embodiments, push wing lock118 may comprise one or more components. The components may include aknob 122 (e.g., keyed or unkeyed), a screw 124, and an insert 126. Theknob 122 and/or the insert 126 may be keyed or otherwise configured tomate with the push wing 116. Moreover, the knob 122 and/or the insert126 may be keyed or otherwise configured to mate with one or moreportions of ring 110 (e.g., first portion 129). For example, the pushwing 116 may rotate as one or more portions of ring 110 (e.g., firstportion 129) turns.

According to some embodiments, the ring 110 may comprise of one or morecomponents. For example, a first portion 129 of the ring 110 may beconfigured to mate with the push wing 116. Moreover, the first portion129 of the ring 110 may be keyed to maintain alignment with the pushwing 116. The first portion 129 of the ring 110 may include severalopenings (e.g., two openings) to allow medication 120 to pass throughone of the openings, e.g., as the first portion 129 of the ring 110 isrotated and the adapter 114 becomes aligned with one of the openings ofthe first portion 129 of the ring 110. For example, if the first portion129 of the ring 110 included two openings, the medication dispenser 100may dispense one pill or capsule of medication (e.g., medication 120)per a 180-degree rotation of first portion 129, as opposed to a360-degree rotation for a single opening.

By dispensing the medication 120 in a shorter rotation, motor longevitymay be conserved and battery consumption may be reduced (e.g., throughreduced motor usage). The push wing 116 may include an arm or sectionfor each of the openings of the first portion 129. For example, if thefirst portion 129 has three openings, the push wing 116 may includethree corresponding members. Moreover, smaller medication 120 may allowthe number of openings and corresponding members of the push wing 116 tobe increased, e.g., because smaller medication may be agitated moreeasily by the push wing 116 and/or more likely to properly dispense in ashorter rotation.

The ring 110 may comprise of an adapter holder 128. The adapter holder128 may be configured to mate with the first portion 129. The adapterholder 128 may include an area or cavity configured to accept theadapter 114. The adapter 114 may be configured to accept a particulartype or size of medication 120. The adapter 114 may be selected orchanged based on the particular type or size of medication 120.

The push wing 116 may move in one or more patterns (e.g., based on asize or type of medication). According to some embodiments, the pushwing 116 may move forward and backwards to increase agitation and/or toincrease a likelihood that the medication falls into the adapter. Forexample, the push wing 116 may move forward 30-degrees and may then movebackwards 15-degrees.

Moreover, a direction of rotation of the push wing 116 may be reversedif medication 120 becomes jammed and/or prevents the push wing 116 frommoving in a particular direction. For example, an increased amperagedraw of the motor may indicate the push wing 116 has become jammed bymedication 120 and a specific pattern of movement (e.g., a reversal ofrotation of the push wing 116) of the push wing 116 may be implemented.

According to some embodiments, the adapter holder 128 may rotate withinthe first portion 129. For example, the orientation of the adapter 114(e.g., fitted to the adapter holder 128) may change with respect to oneof the openings of the first portion 129 as the adapter holder 128 isrotated (e.g., about a common axis with the first portion 129).According to other embodiments, the first portion 129 may rotate aroundthe adapter holder 128. For example, the orientation of the adapter 114(e.g., fitted to the adapter holder 128) may change with respect to oneof the openings of the first portion 129 as the first portion 129 isrotated (e.g., about a common axis with the adapter holder 128). Anupper surface (e.g., conical) of the adapter holder 128 may comprise adownward slope to direct the medication 120 to the periphery of themedication dispenser 100.

According to some embodiments, the first portion 129 may comprise a sidewall that restricts medication 120 from falling to the side of themedication dispenser 100. For example, the side wall may preventmedication 120 from falling into a cavity or recess between container102 and ring 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 1T, the knob 122 and/or screw 124 may lock thepush wing 116 to the first portion 129. In some embodiments, the pushwing 116 and the knob 122 may be formed as a single component. Theadapter 114 may be fit to the adapter holder 128.

According to some embodiments, the push wing 116 may comprise a slopingfront side or top face to agitate the medication 120. Moreover, the pushwing 116 may comprise a vertical or nearly vertical front face orleading edge or front face to push the medication 120 (e.g., towards theadapter 114). According to some embodiments, the push wing 116 maycomprise a rear face shaped to remove unwanted pills from the cut out ofthe adapter 114. For example, a second pill or capsule may fall into orbecome lodged into the adapter 114. A shape of the rear face of the pushwing may be optimized to remove or dislodge the second pill or capsule.

In some embodiments, a forward rotation of the push wing 116 may advancethe medication 120 forward (e.g., towards the chute 106). A reverserotation of the push wing 116 may agitate the medication 120. In someembodiments, the push wing 116 may block or obstruct the chute 106 at apoint of dispensing the medication 120. This may prevent tampering withthe medication at a point of dispensing.

In some embodiments, a rotation of the push wing 116 may be based on asensed resistance to rotation of the push wing 116. For example, as thepush wing 116 rotates, it may sense resistance and may change direction.In this way, the medication dispenser 100 may avoid crushing or damagingthe medication 120. For example, the push wing 116 may change directionto allow the medication to become dislodged or unstuck (e.g., byagitating the medication with the top surface of the push wing 116 ordislodging the medication 120 with the rear surface of the push wing116).

Adapter 114 may comprise a side cut out to dispense (e.g., drop) themedication 120 sideways. The medication dispenser 100 may dispensemedication 120 from adapter 114 in a lateral or horizontal direction(e.g., from a vertical side of dispensing mechanism). This isdistinguishable from medication dispensers that may dispense medicationvertically downward (e.g., from a bottom of a medication dispenser).

The adapter 114 may be changeable to suit the size (shape, thickness,length, etc.) of medication 120. The adapter may be sized to accommodateonly a single dose of medication 120 (e.g., a single pill or capsule)and may be replaced to accommodate medication of different sizes. Forexample, a small pill or capsule may be dispensed by adapter 114A, amedium pill or capsule may be dispensed by adapter 114B, and a largepill or capsule may be dispensed by adapter 114C.

As illustrated in FIG. 1V and FIG. 1W, an adapter 114 may be associatedwith a particular size, or range of sizes, of medication 120. One ormore dimensions (e.g., height, width, depth, etc.) associated with theside cutout of the adapter 114 may be selected in accordance with aparticular size of medication 120 (e.g., for accommodating differentpill sizes). For example, adapter 114A may associated with a large pillor capsule. Moreover, by installing a modular adapter (e.g., adapter114) into the adapter holder 128 of the ring 110, different sizes ofmedication 120 may be accommodated by simply changing the adapter 114.

As illustrated in FIG. 1X and FIG. 1Y, an adapter 114 may be associatedwith a particular size, or range of sizes, of medication 120. One ormore dimensions (e.g., height, width, depth, etc.) associated with theside cutout of the adapter 114 may be selected in accordance with aparticular size of medication 120 (e.g., for accommodating differentpill sizes). For example, adapter 114B may associated with a medium pillor capsule. Moreover, by installing a modular adapter (e.g., adapter114) into the adapter holder 128 of the ring 110, different sizes ofmedication 120 may be accommodated by simply changing the adapter 114.

As illustrated in FIG. 1Z, FIG. 1AA, and FIG. 1AB, an adapter 114 may beassociated with a particular size, or range of sizes, of medication 120.One or more dimensions (e.g., height, width, depth, etc.) associatedwith the side cutout of the adapter 114 may be selected in accordancewith a particular size of medication 120 (e.g., for accommodatingdifferent pill sizes). For example, adapter 114C may associated with asmall pill or capsule. Moreover, by installing a modular adapter (e.g.,adapter 114) into the adapter holder 128 of the ring 110, differentsizes of medication 120 may be accommodated by simply changing theadapter 114.

As illustrated in FIG. 1AC, one or more examples may include a loop ofwire 150, e.g., built into or wrapped around the medication dispenser100 (e.g., housing 130, housing lid 132, locking mechanism 134, etc.).Moreover, the loop of wire 150 may be attached to the medicationdispenser 100 by an adhesive or tape. The loop of wire 150 may becontinuous, creating a barrier within or around the medication dispenser100. Moreover, a signal may be transmitted throughout the wire 150 andthe signal may be detected if the wire remains unbroken (e.g., checkingfor a voltage drop at one end of the wire. If the medication dispenser100 is tampered with (e.g., breached or broken), the respective loop ofwire 150 may no longer carry the signal and it may be determined thatthe loop of wire 150 has been broken. In some examples, one or moretamper resistant mechanisms (e.g., destruction mechanism 136) may betriggered by a breach or break of the loop of wire 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 1AD, a plurality of medication dispensers 100 maybe attached to a medication collection mechanism 160. According to someaspects, the medication collection mechanism 160 may include a base 162comprising an interface for one or more medication dispensers 100. Thebase 162 may include one or more ramps 164 to direct the medication to amedication collector 166. The medication collection mechanism may supplypower (e.g., via a power outlet or wireless charging) to the pluralityof medication dispensers 100.

According to some aspects, the medication collection mechanism mayinclude a plurality of bases 162 (e.g., an upper base and a lower base).For example, multiple (e.g., 4) medication dispensers 100 may interfacewith multiple bases 162 (e.g., upper and lower). The multiple bases maybe connected by a medication pathway 166, e.g., directing dispensedmedication from the upper base to a lower base.

According to some aspects, a software portal may be presented to aprescriber, pharmacist, or user to configure the medication dispenser100. As illustrated in FIG. 1AE, a pharmacist may be presented with aportal 170 to configure the medication dispenser 100. According to someaspects, the portal 170 may be presented by a display of a computingdevice (e.g., desktop computer, laptop, tablet, mobile device, etc.).Moreover, the portal 170 may be provided by one or more servers and/orcloud computing devices.

At block 172, the pharmacist may determine a physical configuration ofthe medication dispenser 100 by selecting the adapter 114 (e.g., basedon type, size, and/or shape of medication), the container 102 (e.g.,based on type, size, shape, and/or quantity of medication), and/or themedication dispenser 100 (e.g., based on type, size, shape, and/orquantity of medication). In some aspects, the pharmacist may simplyselect the type and quantity of the medication and the selections may bedetermined by the system based on one or more attributes of themedication, including type, size, shape, and/or quantity of medication.According to some aspects, the adapter 114 and/or the container 102 maybe determined by the system based on an available inventory of one ormore sizes of adapters 114 and/or containers 102. Moreover, theavailable inventory may be adjusted based on the selected adapter 114and/or the selected container 102.

At block 174, the pharmacist may be presented with informationassociated with the patient and/or the subscriber. For example,information associated with the patient may include one or more of name,date of birth, phone number, email address, home address, allergies,insurance information, etc. Information associated with the prescribermay include, for example, one or more of name, Drug Enforcement Agency(DEA) number, National Provider Identifier (NPI), etc.

At block 176, the pharmacist may be presented with medication dispensinginformation, including quantity of dispensed medication, quantity ofmedication to be included in the container 102, quantity of emergencymedication (e.g., to be accessed via emergency access panel 146), etc.In some aspects, the pharmacist may enter and/or be presented withadditional medication specific information. The information may includeprescriber instructions, medicine side effects, a maximum allowed dosage(e.g., per 24 hours), a minimum time interval between dosages, a dosingschedule, a prescription number, a date the prescription was written, adate the prescription was filled, specific instructions, and/or a numberof refills. In some aspects, the pharmacist may determine a schedule fordispensing the medication (e.g., a daily, weekly, monthly, etc.schedule). The additional medication specific information may be used bythe medication dispenser 100 to dispense medication. For example, themedication dispenser 100 may only dispense medication in accordance withthe medication specific information (e.g., maximum allowed dosage,minimum time interval between dosages, etc.). Moreover, medicationspecific information may include a name of the medication and/orNational Drug Code (NDC), medication strength, manufacturer,formulation, form, color, and/or route of medication administration(e.g., oral).

At block 178, the pharmacist may determine one or more settings (e.g.,attributes or privileges) of the medication dispenser 100. Theattributes or settings may include automatic dispensing, dispense on anas-needed basis, fingerprint authentication, random code display, painlevel input, module, dispenser audio alerts, dispenser visual alerts,short message service (SMS) notification, email notifications, foamingmodule, dispenser visual alerts, and/or mobile data (e.g., Global Systemfor Mobile Communications (GSM) chip activation). In some aspects, thesettings may be determined by the system based on one or more of themedication being dispensed, dosage, and/or details regarding the user.

For example, the medication dispenser 100 may automatically dispensemedication (e.g., into a collection tray) at specified times or timeperiods based on an automatic dispensing attribute. Whether or not themedication should be dispensed to a patient on an as-needed basis may bedetermined based on the dispense on an as-needed basis attribute. Forexample, allowed dosages and/or dosage time intervals may be disregardedwhen the medication is to be dispensed on an as-needed basis. Based on arandom code display attribute, the medication dispenser 100 may displaya random code to the user and require the user to enter the random codeprior to dispensing medication. Moreover, based on the user’s input ofthe random code (e.g., or the user’s attempted input of the randomcode), the medication dispenser 100 may determine a cognitive state ofthe user and/or whether to dispense a medication or not to dispense amedication (e.g., a poor cognitive state may be associated with notdispensing pain medication).

The medication dispenser 100 may require a user to authenticatethemselves based on a fingerprint authentication attribute. Themedication dispenser 100 may request a pain level input from a user(e.g., a patient prescribed pain medication) periodically or whendispensing medication. Based on the foaming attribute, the medicationdispenser 100 may determine whether to activate security features (e.g.,destruction of medication by a foaming agent) upon detecting tamperingwith (e.g., a breach) the medication dispenser 100. The medicationdispenser 100 may emit audio alerts associated with dispensing or otherfunctions based on the dispenser audio alerts attribute. For example,the medication dispenser 100 may emit audio voice-based instructions orprovide a sound when interacting with a user interface. Based on thedispenser visual alerts attribute, the medication dispenser 100 mayprovide visual alerts associated with dispensing or other functions. Forexample, the medication dispenser 100 may active a display and/or one ormore light emitting diodes as an indication or reminder to take amedication. Based on the SMS and/or email notifications attribute, thedispenser may provide a user, pharmacist, prescriber, etc. with emailand/or text notifications regarding the use of the medication dispenser100. Based on the GSM chip activation attribute, the medicationdispenser 100 may activate mobile data as a data connection. Forexample, in some aspects, the medication dispenser 100 may communicationwith a mobile network.

At block 180, the pharmacist may be presented with instructions toprepare the medication dispenser 100 for a user. For example, theinstructions may include assembly of one or more aspects of themedication dispenser 100, as well as sizes of one or more particularcomponents. An identifier (e.g., a dispenser identifier) may be assignedto the medication dispenser 100. The identifier may be used to connect(e.g., wirelessly) to the medication dispenser 100. According to someaspects, the medication dispenser 100 may include a demo mode thatcycles through one or more features of the medication dispenser 100. Forexample, the pharmacist may initiate a demo mode of the medicationdispenser 100 to ensure that a patient can operate the medicationdispenser 100.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of medication container 200.Medication container 200 may include housing 202, lockable cap 204,locking mechanism 206, and destruction mechanism 212. Housing 202 may beany housing, such as a container, that can hold and store medication.Lockable cap 204 may be operably attached to housing 202 to secure themedication stored therein. Lockable cap 204 may be configured to lockonto housing 202 via locking mechanism 206. Locking mechanism 206 maysecure the lockable cap 204 to housing 202, and it may include variousmeans for unlocking lockable cap 204. For example, locking mechanism 206may include an input via which a patient or other user may enter acredential to unlock locking mechanism 206 and thus also lockable cap204. As used herein, a credential may include a code, password,passphrase, gesture, or other means of authentication with lockingmechanism 206 or other locking mechanisms described herein. Further, incontexts described herein in which the credential is not required to becommunicated between parties, a credential may also refer to a biometricidentifier.

Medication container 200 may be made of a type of material that islightweight, but durable. Medication container 200 may need to be lightenough to carry, but durable enough so that it would be extremelydifficult to break. For example, medication container 200 may be made ofcarbon fiber, a metal such as aluminum, a hard plastic such as PVC, andthe like.

Medication container 200 may include destruction mechanism 212. In anaspect, destruction mechanism 212 may be affixed to lockable cap 204.Destruction mechanism 212 may be a mechanism that can be configured todestroy or otherwise render unusable any medicine stored in housing 202.For example, destruction mechanism 212 may house a liquid, such as aspoiling agent, that, when destruction mechanism 212 is activated, maybe released into housing 202 to destroy or render medication disposedwithin unusable. Destruction mechanism 212 may prevent medication housedinside housing 202 from being accessed without locking mechanism 206being properly unlocked. For example, destruction mechanism 212 may beactivated upon a determination that one or more unauthorized attemptshave been made to access the medicine contained within medicationcontainer 200 or that medication container 200 has otherwise beentampered with. For example, destruction mechanism 212 may be activatedupon a determination that an incorrect credential has been entered intolocking mechanism 206 a number of times equal to or greater than apredetermined threshold. Destruction mechanism 212 may, in some aspects,be mechanically activated by an improper access attempt. For example,the body of medication container 200 may be configured with destructionmechanism 212 such that if there is a breach or other trauma to thebody, destruction mechanism 212 would activate.

FIGS. 2B-2C illustrate various types of locking mechanism 206 that maybe used within the scope of the invention. In FIG. 2B, locking mechanism206 includes one or more numbered dials 208 that, when the rightcombination of numbers is selected, will unlock lockable cap 204,similar to a rotary dial lock. In FIG. 2C, locking mechanism 206includes a series of alphanumeric buttons 210 that, when pressed in theright combination or order, unlock lockable cap 204. In an aspect,locking mechanism 206 may be a mechanical locking mechanism. That is,the mechanism (e.g., numbered dials or buttons) used to input thecredential may be purely mechanical, as may be the particular mechanismthat locks and unlocks lockable cap 204 to housing 202. In anotheraspect, locking mechanism 206 may also incorporate electronic componentsto, for example, receive an input of a credential from a user, evaluatethe input credential against a predetermined credential (i.e., thecorrect credential to unlock locking mechanism 206), and/or effectuateunlocking locking mechanism 206 if the input credential is correct. Ityet another aspect, locking mechanism 206 may comprise a biometric lockin which a biometric identifier, such as a fingerprint or voice sample,is provided to unlock locking mechanism 206. It can be appreciated thatthere are numerous other types of locking mechanisms that can be used tolock or unlock lockable cap 204 to or from housing 202.

FIG. 2D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of medication container 200.Medication container 200 may include a durable part 214 (e.g., furtherincluding a circuit board, battery, or motor). The durable part 214 mayinclude a first piece 220 and a second piece 230, e.g., such that thedurable part 214 opens up (e.g., by a hinge or locking mechanism). Thefirst piece 220 and the second piece 230 may be operably attached tosecure any medication stored within and the medication container mayinclude any number of security features (e.g., manual locking mechanism,software controlled electromechanical lock, etc.) to preventunauthorized access to the medication. Moreover, the durable part mayinclude a keypad 222 (e.g., alphanumeric buttons 210, a touchscreen, asensor, etc.), a fingerprint reader 224, or a display 226. As shown inFIG. 2A, the keypad 222, fingerprint reader 224, and display 226 aredisposed on the first piece 220. However, in some examples one or moreof these components or features may be disposed in the first piece 220,the second piece 230, or any combination thereof. In an example,medication container 200 may include an input (e.g., keypad 222,fingerprint reader 224, or display 226) via which a patient or otheruser may enter a credential.

FIG. 2E illustrates an exemplary embodiment of medication container 200,where the durable part 214 may include a first piece 220 and a secondpiece 230, e.g., such that the durable part 214 opens up by removing thesecond piece 230 from the first piece 220. For example, the second piecemay slide into place via one or more tongue and groove joints and may beelectrically connected by one to the first piece 220 by one or moreelectrical connections 221. Moreover, a locking mechanism may ensure thesecond piece 230 is not separated from the first piece 220 by a patientor user. For example, a solenoid 240 (e.g., attached to the first piece220) may be controlled by a processor to engage or disengage with arecess 223 in the second piece 230 to prevent unauthorized access to themedication.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 2F, a bottom view of the medicationcontainer 200 illustrates a chute 232 (e.g., for dispensing medication)and one or more attachment screws 234 (e.g., for securing a motor). Asshown in FIG. 2F, the chute 232 and one or more attachment screws 234are disposed on the second piece 230. However, in some examples one ormore of these components or features may be disposed on the first piece220, the second piece 230, or any combination thereof.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 2G, a hinge 236 may allow first piece220 and second piece 230 of the durable part 214 to open. In someexamples, the durable part 214 may be configured to house a disposablepart 250. For example, a pharmacist may begin filling a prescription byplacing medication in the disposable part 250 and may then place thedisposable part 250 inside of the durable part 214.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 2H, the durable part 214 may include acircuit board 238, a solenoid 240, and a battery 242. As shown in FIG.2H, the circuit board 238, solenoid 240, and battery 242 (e.g., a 9-voltbattery and battery connector) may be disposed on the first piece 220.However, in some examples one or more of these components or featuresmay be disposed on the first piece 220, the second piece 230, or anycombination thereof. In some examples, the durable part 214 may includea locking mechanism to operably connect the first piece 220 and thesecond piece 230, e.g., the solenoid 240 may extend a shaft 244 into areceptacle 246 sized to accept the shaft 244. In an example, thesolenoid 240 may be activated by entering a specific keycode via thekeypad 222, e.g., causing the solenoid 240 to retract the shaft 244 froma receptacle 246 so that the first piece 220 and the second piece 230may be separated.

In some examples, the medication container 200 may include one or moresensors to detect an orientation of the medication container 200 (e.g.,an accelerometer mounted-on or associated with circuit board 238). Thus,the medication container 200 may notify a user when oriented in anonfunctional or non-ideal position (e.g., a position other than uprightwhere the medication container 200 is incapable of dispensing pills ormedication, such as upside down or laying on a side).

In some examples, the prescription securing device may include one ormore communication interfaces, e.g., Bluetooth, WIFI, GSM, cellular,etc. The communication interfaces may allow the medication container 200to communicate with one or more devices of the users, including mobiledevices, computing devices, etc. Moreover, the communicationinterface(s) may enable the prescription securing device to communicatewith one or more servers, websites, databases, cloud systems, etc.Multiple communication interfaces may provide redundancy so that theprescription securing device may still communicate with the user,pharmacist, server, apps, etc., when one form of communication isunavailable (e.g., cellular data connection when Bluetooth or Wi-Ficonnections are unavailable).

In an example illustrated in FIG. 2I, the disposable part 250 mayinclude a lid 252. In some examples, the lid 252 may snap or screw intoplace on the disposable part 250. In some examples, the disposable part250 or the lid 252 may include an indicator 254 of the size, shape, ortype of pill or medication that is compatible with the disposable part250. For example, a number of different disposable parts may be suitedfor a particular size, shape, or type of pill. The particular size,shape, or type of pill may be indicated by indicator 254, e.g., a notch,recession, marking, text, etc. Moreover, a pharmacist may match aparticular pill to the indicator 254 by placing the pill in theindicator 254 to see if it fits, e.g., confirming a match between thepill and the disposable part 250.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 2J, the disposable part 250 mayinclude a cone 256, a scraper 258, or a turntable 260. In some examples,the cone 256 or scraper 258 are molded into or attached to another partof disposable part 250 (e.g., a body). The turntable 260 may be aseparate part and may rotate within the disposable part 250. Forexample, the turntable may be captured by the scraper 258 and the cone256. In some examples, the cone 256 may displace pills or medicationhoused inside the disposable part 250, such that the pills or medicationrest along a periphery of the disposable part 250, e.g., over/on theturntable and not in the center of the disposable part 250.

In some examples, the height or diameter of the cone 256 may be selectedbased on the size or shape of a medication (e.g., a pill). For example,the cone 256 may have a larger diameter for a smaller pill and a smallerdiameter for a larger pill. Thus, the space between an outer edge of thecone and a periphery of the disposable part 250 may increase as the sizeof a pill increases. In an example, the diameter of the cone 256 andassociated space between the outer edge of the cone and a periphery ofthe disposable part 250 are selected to approximately match a dimension(e.g., length, width, or height) of a particular size of pill or rangeof sizes of pills.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 2K, the turntable 260 may include awell 262. In some examples, the well 262 is sized (width, height, depth,etc.) to accommodate a specific number of pills or medication, forexample a single pill. For example, the length, width, and height of thewell 262 may be selected to accommodate a particular size (length,width, or height) of a particular pill, or a range of sizes of pills.Thus, as the turntable 260 rotates, the pills may be displaced by thecone 256 so that the pills rest on the turntable 260. A specific numberof pills (e.g., one pill) may then fall into the well 262 based on thesize of the pill(s) and the size of the well 262; the remaining pillsresting on the turntable may be separated from the well 262 by thescraper 258.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 2L, the durable part 214 may include amotor 264 (e.g., a stepper motor) and an obelisk 266. For example, themotor may be secured by one or more attachment screws 234 and may beused to rotate turntable 248 (e.g., clockwise, counterclockwise, backand forth, etc.). Moreover, an obelisk 266 may be formed to fit insideof or otherwise complement the disposable part 250. In an example,obelisk 266 may fit within disposable part 250 and as motor 264 turnsobelisk 266, a connection between obelisk 266 and disposable part 250may cause the turntable 260 to turn. Accordingly, well 262 of turntable260 may be advanced by motor 264 and obelisk 266. In some examples, themotor 264 may be a hand crank or manually operated mechanism.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2M, the well 262 may be rotated asturntable 260 is rotated. Moreover, the turntable 260 may be rotated ina vibratory manner (e.g., back and forth) or in concert with a vibratorymechanism (e.g., using a vibratory motor, piezo element, etc.) until apill falls into the well 262. Moreover, one or more rumbling stripsdisposed on a surface of the disposable part 250 may create interferencewith the turntable 260 as it rotates. Thus, in an example, a pill ormedication captured within well 250 may be deposited from the chute 232of durable part 214 when the well 262 aligns with the chute 232. Forexample, the motor 264 may stop turning the obelisk 266 when the well262 and the chute 232 are aligned. Moreover, in some examples, a sensorsuch as an optical sensor may detect that a pill or medication iscaptured within the well 262. For example, a captured pill may beidentified as the turntable 260 makes a 360-degree rotation orcontinuously alternates between two orientations (e.g., from one end ofthe scraper 258 to the other end of the scraper 258) until a sensordetects a pill in the well 262. Moreover, in some examples, a sensorsuch as an optical sensor may detect that a pill or medication capturedwithin the well 262 has been dispensed (e.g., identified that pill ormedication has dropped through the chute 232) and/or that the medicationhas been collected (e.g., from a collection tray). According to someaspects, if a sensor does not detect that first medication is collected,second medication may not be dispensed.

As illustrated in FIG. 2N, one or more examples may include a loop ofwire 268, e.g., built into the side or wrapped around the durable part214 or the disposable part 250. The loop of wire 268 may be continuous,creating a barrier within or around the durable part 214 or thedisposable part 250. Moreover, a signal may be transmitted throughoutthe wire 268 and the signal may be detected if the wire remains unbroken(e.g., checking for a voltage drop at one end of the wire. However, ifthe durable part 214 or disposable part 250 is tampered with (e.g.,breached or broken), the respective loop of wire 268 may no longer carrythe signal and it may be determined that the loop of wire 268 has beenbroken.

In some examples, one or more actuators 270 may be triggered by a breachor break of the loop of wire 268. The one or more actuators 270 may beattached to or contained within one or both of the durable part 214 orthe disposable part 250 and may apply pressure on one or more individualvessels containing separate chemicals based on detecting a breach orbreak in the loop of wire 268. In an example, separate chemicals mayform a foaming or hardening agent when joined, e.g., in order to renderthe pills or medication unusable as a result of detected tampering.Moreover, the separate chemicals may be joined in a mixing chamber 272prior to entering the disposable or replaceable part 40. According tosome aspects, a foaming module may include two pouches, each containinga separate chemical that may form a foaming agent or hardening agentwhen joined. According to some aspects, a foaming module may beremovable or replaceable. For example, the foaming module may have ashelf life (e.g., associated with one or more chemicals of included inthe foaming module) and the foaming module may be replaced periodically.

In some examples, the durable part 214 or may include one or morechemical storage vessels (e.g., one or more spring loaded syringes). Aplunger of the one or more spring loaded syringes may be partially orfully immobilized (e.g., directly or indirectly) by a mechanicalapparatus (e.g., latching mechanism, actuator, locking pin, etc.). Whenthe continuous loop of wire 268 is broken, the one or more spring-loadedsyringes may be freed to expel the contents of the one or morespring-loaded syringes (e.g., by removing or retracting the mechanicalapparatus). For example, when the wire 268 is broken, one or moreactuators blocking a portion of one or more spring-loaded syringescontaining chemicals as fast-acting adhesives (e.g., cyanoacrylate,polyurethane, epoxy, etc.), foaming agents, bittering agents (e.g.,denatonium), coloring agents, alkaline compounds, acidic compounds,and/or chemical accelerators. The spring-loaded syringes may then expelthe stored chemicals into the disposable part 250, ruining the storedmedication or pills and preventing the user from circumventing thesecured container to obtain unauthorized pills or medication.

In an example, a user may attempt to obtain pills or medication bybreaking into the medication container 200. As the user breaches thedisposable part 250, the medication container 200 may detect the breachbased on no longer detecting a signal through the loop of wire 268. Inanother example, the medication container 200 may detect the breachbased on identifying an attempt to access the medication via the chute232 or well 262 (e.g., by detecting a foreign object using one or moresensors associated with pill detection). For example, the medicationcontainer 200 may normally expect a first sensor to detect a pill in thewell 262 and then a second sensor to detect the pill passing through thechute 232 as the pill is dispensed. A breach may be identified if thesecond sensor detects an object in the chute 232 without a priordetection of an object in the well 262. In another example, dispensingof a pill may include a first sensor detecting a pill passing through afirst portion of the medical container 200 and then a second sensor maydetect the pill passing through a second portion of the medicalcontainer 200. Thus, a breach may be identified if the second sensordetects an object prior to a detection by the first sensor.

As a result of the identified breach, actuators 270 may be triggered toapply pressure to individual vessels containing separate chemicals. Theseparate chemicals may be subsequently joined in a mixing chamber 272and the resultant hardening or foaming agent (e.g., epoxy, etc.) may bedispersed throughout the disposable part 250 of the medication container200. Thus, the user will be unable to obtain usable pills or medicationby breaking into or tampering with the medication container 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 2O, in some examples, the medication container200 may include a pouch 274 for holding one or more unsecured pills ormedication. For example, if a user has difficulty getting theirmedication from the medication container 200, they may access theunsecured medication stored in the pouch 274 until they are able toconsult with a pharmacist.

As illustrated in FIG. 2P, in some examples, an operating environment276 may include one or more medication containers (e.g., medicationcontainer 200) attached to another object (e.g., base 278). In anexample, the medication containers 200 may dispense medication into atray 282 of the base 278 in accordance with a schedule determined by apharmacist or physician.

Moreover, the base 278 may include one or more processors, batteries,communication devices, audio or visual indicators, or input devices,e.g., located in portion 280 of the base 278. In some examples, the base278 may include one or more sensors (e.g., sensor 284) to detect apresence of any dispensed medication in the tray 282. Likewise, the base278 may determine the absence of any dispensed medication in the tray282 based on detection information received from the sensor 284.

In some examples, the base 278 and one or more of the attachedmedication containers 200 may be connected to a network 286, e.g., via awired or wireless connection. Moreover, the network 286 may be connectedto a server 288. In an example, the base 278 may communicate informationregarding the dispensing of medication by the medication containers 200.For example, the base 278 may communicate to the server 288 (e.g., vianetwork 286) that dispensed medication has persistently remained presentin the tray 282. Accordingly, the server may notify a doctor or aninterested third party that the patient is not taking their medicationor may be incapacitated.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method 300 of utilizing the medicationcontainer 200 to securely provide medication to a patient or caregiver.At step 302, a request for medication is received, such as by a pharmacyor other medication provider. The request may be initiated by a patientor caregiver, for example, the request may include the name (or otheridentifier) of a medication or a prescription for a medication. Forexample, if the medication is a nonprescription medication, then thename of the medication may be received. If the medication requires aprescription, then the prescription may be received. The request for themedication may be received by a telecommunication system associated withthe pharmacy or other medication provider.

At step 304, medication may be locked inside medication container 200.For example, the medication may be placed inside housing 202 by thepharmacy or other medication provider, including an automated medicationdispensing device. The medication may be locked inside housing 202 usinglocking mechanism 206. For example, after the pharmacy or othermedication provider puts the medication into housing 202, the pharmacyor other medication provider may configure or program the lockingmechanism 206 with a credential by which locking mechanism 206 may beunlocked by the patient or caregiver. Alternatively, locking mechanism206 may already be configured with a factory pre-set credential tounlock locking mechanism 206. In either case, the credential to unlocklocking mechanism 206 may be recorded (e.g., in a telecommunicationsystem associated with the pharmacy or other medication provider) sothat it may later be provided to the patient or caregiver to unlockmedication container 200 that is in his or her possession, as will bediscussed below.

Further, medication container 200 may be associated with a containeridentifier (e.g., an alphanumeric code) uniquely identifying themedication container 200. The container identifier may be affixed orotherwise indicated on medication container 200, but is not necessarilyso. The container identifier may be used by the pharmacy or othermedication provider to identify the particular medication container(e.g., medication container 200). For example, the patient or caregivermay provide the container identifier when he or she contacts thepharmacy or other medication provider to receive the credential tounlock medication container 200, whereby the pharmacy or othermedication provider may use the container identifier to look up thecredential to unlock medication container 200. Accordingly, thecontainer identifier may be recorded (e.g., in a telecommunicationsystem associated with the pharmacy or other medication provider) inassociation with the corresponding credential before medicationcontainer 200 is provided to the patient or caregiver by the pharmacy orother medication provider.

At step 306, medication container 200, now locked and containing themedication, may be distributed to the patient or caregiver. In the eventthat the container identifier is not indicated on medication container200 itself, the container identifier may be separately provided to thepatient or caregiver. Thus, the container identifier may serve as anauthentication to the pharmacy or other medication provider that thepatient or caregiver is authorized to access the medication withinmedication container 200, as opposed to someone that had just found orstolen medication container 200.

At step 308, a request to gain access to the medication withinmedication container 200 may be received, for example, by the pharmacyor other medication provider that originally provided medicationcontainer 200. This request may, for example, be a telephone call, atext message, an internet request, a request through a smart phoneapplication, or use other type of communication media. In an aspect, therequest may include the container identifier, which may be used todetermine the credential needed to unlock medication container 200. Forexample, the pharmacy or other medication provider may use the containeridentifier in a telecommunication system to cross-reference thecontainer identifier with a table of container identifiers andassociated medication container credential, thereby determining thecredential for the patient’s medication container 200.

At step 310, the identity of the patient or caregiver may be verified,for example, by the pharmacy or other medication provider. Theverification may occur via any known methods of authentication, abiometric authentication, receiving answers to previously providedauthentication questions, or other similar methods. As another example,the identity of the patient or caregiver may be verified via the patientor caregiver providing the container identifier to the pharmacy or othermedication provider.

At step 312, instructions for unlocking medication container 200 may beprovided by the pharmacy or other medication provider to the patient orcaregiver. The instructions may be provided using various methods, suchas text, email, spoken, etc. The instructions may include the credentialassociated with medication container 200 and usable to unlock lockingmechanism 206 of medication container 200. Accordingly, the patient orcaregiver may use the provided credential to unlock locking mechanism206 and access the medication within housing 202.

In an aspect, the prescription may be for medicine that is currentlyneeded, will be needed in the future, or medicine that may conditionallybe needed. For example, a traveler may be leaving to visit a foreigncountry where diseases exist that do not exist in the traveler’s countryof departure, such as malaria or the zika virus. Further, in thedestination country, certain medicines to combat the diseases may not bereadily available. The traveler may obtain medication container 200 withthe appropriate medicine from his country of departure as a precautionin case he contracts such a disease.

If the traveler does contract one of such diseases, the traveler maythen contact the pharmacy or doctor from where he received medicationcontainer 200 to inform them that he needs the medicine locked inmedication container 200. This may be done if the traveler has a doctorin the destination country diagnose him with the disease, or he may callhis doctor in his country of origin and explain his symptoms.Instructions (e.g., the credential to unlock) may then be sent to thetraveler for how to unlock the medication container. For example,medication container 200 may contain a combination lock, and theinstructions may include the combination.

Sometimes medicines can be highly addictive or powerful substances. Insuch as case it may be important that the person prescribed themedication only take the medication if it is truly needed or exactly asprescribed so as to avoid abuse or addiction. For that reason, themedicine may be locked in medication container 200.

Verification may be required to ensure that the requestor is the personto whom the medication was issued or prescribed. Verification may beexecuted in numerous ways. For example, the requestor may be required toprovide a spoken password, providing a password via a mobile device, orother similar known methods of providing a verification credential.Biometric verification may also be used, such as a fingerprint reader,eye scanner, voice recognition, and the like.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of a medication container.Medication container 400 may include sections for one or more medicines,such as section 402. Section 402 may include a plurality of compartments406 and one or more locking mechanisms 404404. In an aspect, eachcompartment 406 is operatively coupled to the same locking mechanism 404to lock and unlock all, a subset, or just one of compartments 406.Locking mechanism 404 may be programmed or otherwise configured to onlyopen one or a subset of compartments 406 upon entry of a validcredential associated with that one compartment 406 or subset ofcompartments 406. For example, locking mechanism 404 may be programmedto unlock a first compartment 406 (or a first subset of compartments406) upon entry of a first credential. Locking mechanism may further beprogrammed to open a second compartment 406 (or a second subset ofcompartments 406) upon entry of a second, different credential. Inanother aspect, each compartment 406 is operatively coupled to adifferent locking mechanism 404. Medication container 400 may furtherinclude at least one destruction mechanism 408.

Locking mechanism 404 may include one or more numbered dials that, whenthe right combination of numbers is selected, will unlock one or morelockable compartments 406. In another example, locking mechanismincludes a series of buttons that, when pressed in the right combinationor order, unlock one or more compartments 406. In another example,locking mechanism 404 may be electronic and connected to a network. Inanother example, locking mechanism 404 may be electronic and connecteddirectly to a mobile device via communication protocol such asBluetooth® or Near Field Communication (NFC). At a specific time,locking mechanism 404 may receive instructions to unlock a particularcompartment 406. Each day a different compartment 406 may be opened. Itcan be appreciated that there are numerous types of locking mechanisms,as described above, that can be used to lock and unlock compartments406.

Medication container 400 may be configured with display 410. Display 410may be any type of known display such as an LED, LCD, or the like.Display 410 may display a credential (e.g., a code) that may be used tounlock locking mechanism 404. The credential may be displayed on display410 only at specific time intervals. Further, the particular credentialdisplayed during a time interval may only be usable to unlock lockingmechanism 404 during that time interval. During a first predeterminedtime interval, a first unique credential for unlocking a firstcompartment 406 may be displayed on display 410. During a secondpredetermined time interval, and a second unique credential forunlocking a second compartment 406 may be displayed on display 410, andso forth. Display 410 may only display a credential for unlockinglocking mechanism 404 during the first, second, etc. predetermined timeintervals. Outside the first, second, etc. predetermined time intervals,locking mechanism 404 may be deactivated.

In an example, a user may have a prescription to take a medicine twice aday, once in the morning and once in the evening. A first credential maybe displayed on display 410 from 8am-10am that unlocks a firstcompartment 406 from 8am-10am. A second credential may be displayed ondisplay 410 from 8pm-10pm that unlocks a second compartment 406 from8pm-10pm. At all other times no credential may be displayed on display410 and no credentials are valid, preventing any compartment 406 frombeing opened.

In an aspect, the predetermined time intervals may be set by thepharmacy or other medication provider before the filled medicationcontainer 400 is provided to the patient or caregiver. Alternatively,medication container 400 may be connected, via a network (such asnetwork 612 in FIG. 6 ), to a computing device with an interface (suchas medication provider interface 614 in FIG. 6 ). The computing devicemay, for example, be associated with a pharmacy that fills medicationcontainer 400. Medication container 400 may receive a credential forunlocking locking mechanism 404 from the computing device withinstructions to display the credential for a predetermined amount oftime or for the predetermined time interval. The computing device mayallow pharmacists or doctors to remotely change the accessibility of themedication in medication container 400 as needed.

In one aspect, display 410 may present a notification that lockingmechanism 404 is activated to accept a credential (e.g., a biometricidentifier) during a time interval, and subsequently grant access to oneor more compartments 406 upon the provision of a valid credential. Thenotification may serve to indicate to the patient or caregiver that heor she should enter a credential input during the indicated timeinterval. For example, in an embodiment in which locking mechanism 404comprises a biometric lock, display 410 may provide a notification for atime interval that the patient or caregiver should enter their biometricidentifier, such as a fingerprint. If the patient or caregiversuccessfully provides a valid biometric identifier during that timeinterval, locking mechanism 404 will unlock one or more compartments 406and thereby grant the patient or caregiver access to the medicationtherein. If the patient or caregiver does not enter a valid biometricidentifier during the time interval, locking mechanism 404 will bedeactivated and no longer accept a biometric identifier, even ifotherwise valid, until a next valid time interval begins. A subsequentsecond time interval may be commenced at which point the lockingmechanism 404 may be reactivated to accept a valid biometric identifierand unlock one or more compartments 406. Instructions to commence a timeinterval and display the notification that locking mechanism 404 isactivated to accept a credential and to enter the time interval duringwhich locking mechanism 404 is activated may be provided to medicationcontainer 400 via a network connection. For example, a pharmacy or othermedication provider may communicate such instructions to medicationcontainer 400 over a network.

Display 410 may additionally be used to provide information or a messageto the patient or caregiver regarding the medication contained withinmedication container 400. For example, one technique to prevent apatient from over-consuming or under-consuming a medication is torequire the patient to undergo a “pill count,” wherein the patienttravels to the medication provider and the medication provider observesthe number or quantity of medication remaining in the container. To thisend, medication container 400 may be configured to receive a message(e.g., the aforementioned pill count request) or other information fromthe medication provider and display this message on display 410.Medication container 400 may receive the message from atelecommunication system associated with the medication provider over anetwork (such as network 612 shown in FIG. 6 ).

Destruction mechanism 408 may be disposed inside or otherwise inassociation with lockable compartments 406. In an aspect, destructionmechanism 408 may be operatively coupled to lockable compartments 406.Destruction mechanism 408 may be a mechanism that can destroy or otherrender unusable any medicine disposed in lockable compartments 406. Forexample, destruction mechanism 408 may house a liquid, such as aspoiling agent, that, when destruction mechanism 408 is activated, maybe released into at least one of locking compartments 406 to destroy orrender the medication disposed within un-useable. Destruction mechanism408 may prevent medication housed inside locking compartments 406 frombeing accessed without locking mechanism 404 being properly unlocked.Destruction mechanism 408 may be activated upon a determination that oneor more unauthorized attempts have been made to access the medicinecontained within locking compartments 406 or that medication container400 has otherwise been tampered with. For example, destruction mechanism408 may be activated upon a determination that an incorrect credentialhas been entered into locking mechanism 404 a number of times equal toor greater than a predetermined threshold. Destruction mechanism 408may, in some aspects, be mechanically activated by an improper accessattempt. For example, the body of medication container 400 may beconfigured with destruction mechanism 408 such that if there was abreach or other trauma to the body, destruction mechanism 408 wouldactivate.

Medication container 400 may be further configured with antidotecompartment 412, which may contain a medication or other substance thatmay be an antidote to the medication provided in compartments 406. Theantidote provided in antidote compartment 412 is not limited to anantidote, per se, of the medication provided in compartments 406 but mayrefer generally to a medication or other substance that may be used tocounteract or otherwise ameliorate a condition caused by the medicationsprovided in compartments 406. As one example, if compartments 406provide an opioid pain reliever, antidote compartment 412 may providenaloxone, which may be used to treat opioid overdose. Antidotecompartment 412 may be operatively coupled with locking mechanism 404.As such, antidote compartment 412 may be unlocked via input of acredential to locking mechanism 404. For example, medication container400 may be configured, such as by the pharmacy or other medicationprovider originally providing the medication container 400, with anantidote credential. If the antidote credential is entered to lockingmechanism 404, antidote compartment 412 may be unlocked and accessible.As described above with respect to compartments 406, the antidotecredential may be displayed via display 410 for a set time interval andthe antidote credential is only valid during that time interval.

Medication container 400 may further be configured with processor 414and memory 416 communicatively connected to processor 414. Memory 416may receive, store, and/or provide instructions to effectuate variousoperations relating to medication container 400. Medication container400 may also include network interface 418 to effectuate communicationswith, for example, a telecommunication system associated with thepharmacy or medication provider. Network interface 418 may be embodiedas a Wi-Fi__33 interface, a Bluetooth® interface, a cellular interface,or an ethernet interface, as some examples.

In an example, two or more medication containers 400 may be physicallyattached to each other or to another object (e.g., a medication tray).Moreover, the two or more medication containers may dispense medicationinto the medication tray at time intervals based on a predefinedschedule, e.g., as programmed by a pharmacist when the prescriptions arefilled in their respective medication containers (e.g., medicationcontainer 400).

In another example, the medication container 400 may be opened by apharmacist in case of a failure of the medication container 400. Forexample, a pharmacist may use a backup mechanism (e.g., a specializedtool) to open the medication container 400 and retrieve medication incase of a failure. Moreover, a security seal may be used to identify anyunauthorized access or tampering with the backup mechanism.

FIG. 5A illustrates a method 500 of distributing medicine utilizing themedication container 400. At step 502, a request for medication may bereceived by a pharmacy or other medication provider. The request mayinclude a name or other identifier of the medication or a prescriptionfor the medication.

At step 503, the pharmacy or other medication provider may place themedication within compartments 406 of medication container 400 andsecure compartments 406 via locking mechanism 404. The pharmacy ormedication provider may program or set locking mechanism 404 with ormore credential or locking mechanism 404 may already be programmed withone or more pre-set credential. In one aspect, locking mechanism 404 maybe programmed with a first credential that, when entered into lockingmechanism 404, will unlock a first compartment 406 (or a first subset ofcompartments 406). Locking mechanism 404 may be further programmed witha second credential that, when entered into locking mechanism 404, willunlock a second compartment 406 (or a second subset of compartments406). The one or more credential may be recorded by the pharmacy ormedication provider so that the one or more credentials may later beprovided to the patient or caregiver to unlock one or more ofcompartments 406. A container identifier uniquely identifying themedication container 400 may be recorded for later reference by thepharmacy or medication provider.

At step 504, medication container 400, now locked and containing themedication, may be provided to the patient or caregiver, such as thepatient or caregiver that originally requested the medication.

At step 505, a request to gain access to the medication withinmedication container 400 may be received, such as by the pharmacy orother medication provider. The request may be to gain access to themedication within one or a subset of compartments 406 of medicationcontainer 400. In one aspect, the request may be to gain access to themedication within antidote compartment 412. The request may include thecontainer identifier, which may be used by the pharmacy or medicationprovider to determine one or more credentials associated with theparticular medication container (e.g., medication container 400)identified by the container identifier.

At step 506, instructions for opening one or more compartments 406 areprovided by the pharmacy or medication provider to the patient orcaregiver. The instructions may include one or more credentials eachusable to unlock one or more compartments 406 in medication container400. For example, a first credential may be provided that, when enteredinto locking mechanism 404, unlocks a first compartment 406 (or antidotecompartment 412). Upon receiving the credential, the patient orcaregiver may enter the credential into locking mechanism 404 to unlockthe corresponding compartment 406 (or antidote compartment 412) and gainaccess to the medication therein.

In an aspect, a patient may have a prescription for a medicine thatshould be taken once a day. Some medicines can be highly addictive orare subject to abuse, and thus need to be monitored. In an example,using medication container 400 from FIG. 4 , the prescribed daily dosageof the medication is placed inside each compartment 406. Eachcompartment 406 may be associated with a different date. On the dateassociated with the particular compartment 406, instructions may be sentfor opening that compartment.

The instructions may be sent in a variety of ways. In an aspect, lockingmechanism 404 may be a type of combination lock, mechanical orelectronic. The credential for unlocking a particular compartment 406may be given to the person to whom the medicine is prescribed. Theperson may then put in the credential to unlock the compartment 406 andretrieve the medicine. Each compartment 406 may have a unique credentialso that the person can only retrieve the prescribed amount of themedicine at a given time.

FIG. 5B illustrates a method 510 of distributing medicine utilizing themedication container 400. Method 510 may be performed in conjunctionwith method 300 described in relation to FIG. 3 and/or method 500described in relation to FIG. 5A. At step 512, a time interval may bereceived by medication container 400. During the time interval, anassociated credential may be usable with locking mechanism 404 to unlockone or more compartments 406. In some aspects, the credential may bereceived along with the time interval. In other aspects, the credentialmay already be stored in memory 416 of medication container 400 at thetime that the time interval is received. In yet other aspects, processor414 of medication container 400 may randomly generate the credential(e.g., an alphanumeric code or password), either before or after thetimer interval is received. The time interval and/or associatedcredential may be received before medication container 400 is providedto the patient or caregiver. For instance, the pharmacy or medicationprovider may program the locking mechanism 404 of medication container400 with the time interval and/or associated credential beforedelivering medication container 400 to the patient or caregiver.Additionally or alternatively, the time interval and/or credential maybe received while medication container 400 is possessed by the patientor caregiver. In such a case, the time interval and/or credential may beprovided to medication container 400 via a network from atelecommunication system associated with the pharmacy or medicationprovider.

At step 514, the credential is displayed. For example, the credentialmay be displayed on display 410 of medication container 400 during thecorresponding time interval. An indication of the time interval may alsobe displayed on display 410. Displaying the credential and/or timeinterval may serve as an indicator that the patient or caregiver shouldenter a credential input during the time interval. Following thecredential being displayed, a user may potentially provide a user input(e.g., enter a credential, such as a code, via locking mechanism 404).If a user input is received, then steps 516-520 are followed. At step516, a user input is received by medication container 400, such as vialocking mechanism 404. The user input may preferably be the credentialdisplayed on display 410. At step 518, the user input is verified. Forexample, medication container 400 may verify that the user input matchesthe credential displayed or that the user input is otherwise valid.Further, medication container 400 may verify that the user input wasentered during the time interval associated with that credential. Atstep 520, responsive to verifying that the provided credential iscorrect and/or that it was provided during the time interval, lockingmechanism 404 may be deactivated or unlocked to open one or morecompartments 406 so that medication within may be accessed. If theprovided credential was incorrect and/or not provided during thecorresponding time interval, locking mechanism 404 remains locked andthe user may not access the medication in compartments 406.

Alternatively, if user input is not received in the time interval, steps522 and 524 are followed. At step 522, the user input is not receivedduring the time interval. For example, the credential may be displayedon display 410 for the time interval, but the user does not input thecredential. In step 524, the credential is no longer displayed. Forexample, when the time interval expires, the credential may no longer bedisplayed on display 410, disallowing access to medication in lockablecompartments 406. Further, the credential corresponding to andpreviously displayed during the expired time interval is no longer validto open compartments 406 of medication container 400 upon expiration ofthe time interval.

In an alternative embodiment of the method 510 shown in FIG. 5B, a timeinterval (without an associated credential) is received by medicationcontainer 400. The credential may already be stored and known bymedication container 400 at the time that the time interval is received.Such an embodiment may be particularly useful when locking mechanism 404is configured as a biometric lock requiring a biometric identifier asthe credential. This embodiment may be useful in such a case due to abiometric identifier credential being generally non-communicable, unlikea code or password. In some aspects, the time interval may be receivedby medication container 400 before medication container 400 comes intopossession of the patient or caregiver. For example, a pharmacy or othermedication provider may pre-code one or more time intervals intomedication container 400 before providing the medication container 400to the patient or caregiver. In other aspects, the time interval may bereceived after medication container 400 is possessed by the patient orcaregiver. For example, the time interval may be received over a networkfrom a telecommunication system associated with the pharmacy or othermedication provider.

Subsequent to receiving the time interval, display 410 of medicationcontainer 400 may provide a notification that locking mechanism 404 isactive and will unlock one or more compartments 406 upon the input of avalid credential (e.g., a biometric identifier). Display 410 may furtherindicate the start time, end time, and/or duration of the time interval.

A user input of a credential may be received by locking mechanism 404.If the credential is received (and is valid) within the time interval,locking mechanism 404 may unlock one or more compartments 406 and allowaccess to the medication therein. If the credential is received outsideof the time interval (or is not valid), locking mechanism 404 will notunlock any compartments 406.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system 600 in which medication container 602 may beused. System 600 may include medication container 602, mobile device610, network 612, and medication provider interface 614. Medicationcontainer 602 may be a medication container as described herein, such asmedication dispenser 100 from FIG. 1 , medication container 200 fromFIG. 2 , or medication container 400 from FIG. 4 . Medication containermay include locking mechanism 604 and compartment 606.

Mobile device 610 may be a device that can connect to a wireless orwired network, such as network 612. In an aspect, mobile device 610 mayalso be able to connect to medication container 602. Mobile device 610may be a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet, or other similar device.Mobile device 610 may connect to medication container 602 via aproximity communication protocol such as Bluetooth® or NFC. Network 612may be any wired or wireless network, such as the Internet, wherein datacan be transmitted to and from different devices. Medication providerinterface 614 may be an interface that receives requests for themedication and/or provides the means for the requestor to accessmedication. In an aspect, medication provider interface 614 may be aserver or other similar computing device that may be associated with thepharmacy or physician.

In another aspect, a pharmacist or physician (not shown) may placerequested medicine (not shown) in compartment 606 of medicationcontainer 602. Medication container 602 may be locked using lockingmechanism 604. Medication provider interface 614 may receiveverification credentials from the pharmacist or physician for accessingthe medication. Verification credentials may be, for example, a spokenpassword, an alphanumeric password, biometric information, a code, andthe like. When the requestor needs the medication, the requestor mayconnect to medication provider interface 614 using mobile device 610through network 612. Medication provider interface 614 may require averification credential before providing instructions for openingmedication container 602. The requestor may then provide theverification credential to medication provider interface 614 throughmobile device 610. For example, the requestor may call the physician orpharmacist with mobile device 610 and provide a spoken password oranswer security questions. In another example, mobile device 610includes a thumbprint reader or another biometric reader, and thebiometric information is transmitted to medication provider interface614 for verification. In yet another example, the requestor may send atext message with a password to medication provider interface 614 forverification. Still yet another example would be an application runningon the mobile device that would process verification data and otherpertinent information relating to the medical provider, requestor andmedication.

Upon verifying the identity of the requestor and/or the identificationof the medication container, medication provider interface 614 mayprovide approval that medication container 602 may be unlocked.Medication provider interface 614 may provide the means or instructionsfor opening the medication container. For example, if the requestorprovides a spoken password over the phone, medication provider interface614 may provide the requestor with a credential to unlock lockingmechanism 604. In another example, medication provider interface 614 maysend a credential to mobile device 610 via text, email, or otherelectronic means. In another example, medication provider interface 614may be able to connect to locking mechanism 604 through network 612 tounlock medication container 602. In yet another example, mobile device610 may connect directly to locking mechanism 604 via a proximitycommunication protocol such as Bluetooth® or NFC to unlock lockingmechanism 604. It can be appreciated that there may be a variety of wayswithin the scope of this disclosure in which medication providerinterface 614 may provide the instructions to unlock medicationcontainer 602.

The methods as systems described herein may be at least partiallyimplemented as computer-executable instructions. Such instructions maybe stored or distributed on computer-readable media, such a memory,including magnetic and optically readable and removable computer disks,hard-wired or preprogrammed in chips (e.g., EEPROM semiconductor chipsor ASICs), as well as distributed electronically over the Internet orover other networks (including wireless networks). Computer readablestorage media disclosed herein does not include signals.

FIG. 7 depicts a telecommunication system 700 in which the methods andsystems described herein may at least partially be implemented. Forexample, telecommunication system 700 may be incorporated withmedication dispenser 100, medication container 200, and/or medicationcontainer 400 to facilitate at least some operations disclosed hererelating to medication container 200 and/or medication container 400.System 700 may include memory 702, processor 704, transceiver 706, harddrive 708, and power supply 710. Memory 702 may be communicativelycoupled to processor 704 and contain instructions for operations forprocessor 704 to perform. Hard drive 708 and transceiver 706 may beoperably coupled to processor 704. Power supply 710 may supply power toprocessor 704.

Processor 704 may be any type of known processor found in a computingenvironment that can execute instructions. Memory 702 may be any type ofknown memory, such as RAM, that can provide instructions for theprocessor to perform. For example, memory 702 may contain a computerprogram or code for medication provider interface 614. The computerprogram or code on memory 702 may provide instructions to processor 704for executing the operations of medication provider interface 614 asdescribed herein. Hard drive 708 may be any type of known hard drivethat can store information, such has a hard disk drive or a solid statehard drive. Transceiver 706 may be any type of known transceiver thatcan send and receive information wired or wirelessly. For example,transceiver 706 may be an Ethernet port, and Wi-Fi transceiver, andcellular transceiver, and the like. Power supply 710 may be any type ofknown computing power supply that can supply power to the processor.

Aspect A - Apparatus Features. This disclosure is directed to one ormore of the aspects set forth below.

1. A medication dispenser including:

-   an inner container disposed within the medication dispenser, the    inner container configured to securely secure a medication, the    inner container having a bottom disposed within the inner container;-   a cone having a sloped surface extending upward from the bottom of    the inner container, wherein the cone has a cone opening defined    therein and wherein the cone is stationary with respect to the inner    container;-   a rotatable assembly cooperatively connected to base of the inner    container, the rotatable assembly configured to rotate with respect    to the cone, the rotatable assembly having a well, wherein the well    includes an opening defined in the rotatable assembly and wherein    the well rotates along with the rotatable assembly,-   a push wing disposed within the inner container and adjacent to the    sloped surface, the push wing configured to rotate with respect to    the cone;-   a chute extending from the from a bottom of the rotatable assembly;-   a reversible motor coupled to the rotatable assembly operable to    rotate the rotatable assembly-   and the push wing.

2. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 wherein the chute is alignedwith the cone opening and wherein a medication is dispensed when thewell aligns with the cone opening.

3. The medication container of aspect 2 further including a first sensorpositioned adjacent to the chute and wherein the first sensor sends asignal to stop the reversible motor when a pill drops into the chute.

4. The medication container of aspect 3 wherein the reversible motor isaligned in a non-operational position when stopped.

5. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including an adapteraligned with the cone opening and wherein a size of the adapter arebased on one or more dimensions of the medication and wherein the wellis periodically aligned with the cone opening as the rotatable assemblyrotates.

6. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 wherein the push wing rotates atthe same speed as the rotatable assembly.

7. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 wherein a first sensor isconfigured to sense an increase in amperage being drawn from thereversible motor thereby detecting there is a blockage in the dispensingof the medication and the first sensor sends a signal to reverse adirection of rotation of the reversible motor

8. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including an adapteraligned with the cone opening and wherein a size parameter of theadapter is based on one or more dimensions of the medication.

9. The medication dispenser of aspect 8 wherein the medication dispenseris sized based on a number of pills

10. The medication dispenser of aspect wherein the adapter is selectedbased on the size parameter.

11. The medication dispenser of aspect 9 wherein the size parameter isbased on a National Drug Code (NDC) number associated with themedication.

12. The medication dispenser of aspect 11 wherein the adapter is sizedbased on a template if the NDC number is not associated with apreselected adapter.

13. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including an emergencyaccess panel and wherein there is a keyhole positioned behind theemergency access panel.

14. The medication dispenser of aspect 13 wherein the keyhole isconfigured to cooperatively work with a key to provide access to themedication container.

15. The medication dispenser of aspect 14 further including a foamingmodule configured to destroy the medication based on unauthorized accessand wherein the foaming module is deactivated when a key is used toaccess the medication container.

16. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including an unsecurelocation separate from the secure location for storing at least onedosage of the medication.

17. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 wherein the medication isdispensed using gravity and the chute between a bottom of the rotatableassembly and an opening in the medication dispenser is where themedication is accessible by a user.

18. The medication dispenser of aspect 17 wherein the chute is coupledto a pill collection tray and wherein the pill collection tray has asecond sensor configured to send a signal when the medication isretrieved.

19. The medication dispenser of aspect 18 wherein the pill collectiontray is configured to impede access by a child.

20. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including an unsecuredcompartment for dispensing a portion of the medication and wherein theunsecured compartment is configured to impede access by a child.

21. The medication dispenser of aspect 20 wherein a time stamp isgenerated when the medication is retrieved and wherein a secondmedication is stopped from dispensing until the medication is retrieved.

22. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including a back-upsensor configured to send a signal to stop the motor if the first sensorfails to send a signal to stop the motor if the motor is still engaged.

23. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including aphysiological monitor, wherein the physiological monitor is one of apulse oximeter, heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor or atemperature monitor and wherein the medication is dispensed based on areading of the physiological monitor.

24. The medication dispenser of aspect 23 wherein the physiologicalmonitor is integral to the medication dispenser.

25. The medication dispenser of aspect 23 wherein the physiologicalmonitor is separate from and in communication with the medicationdispenser.

26. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including a lightedkeypad configured to receive inputs from a user.

27. The medication dispenser of aspect 26 wherein the lighted keypadalso includes braille.

28. The medication dispenser of aspect 26 wherein the user may enter anumber associated with a pain scale.

29. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including an electronicvideo screen configured to provide information to the user.

30. The medication dispenser of aspect 29 wherein the information is aprescription label associated with the medication.

31. The medication dispenser of aspect 29 wherein the information is aschedule of prescribed dosages of the medication

32. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including acommunication module configured to communicate with an external device.

33. The medication dispenser of aspect 32 wherein the medicationcontainer has a unique media access control (MAC) address.

34. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 wherein components of themedication container that come in contact with the medication areremovable and replacement components are configured to be inserted inplace of the inner container.

35. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 wherein the inner container isremovable and a top cap and a bottom cap are removable from the innercontainer and a second top cap and a second bottom cap are connected tothe inner container prior to disposing the inner container in themedication dispenser.

36. The medication dispenser of aspect 35 wherein the top cap and thesecond top cap are configured to impede access by a child.

37. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including a transparentwindow positioned in view of the rotatable assembly.

38. The medication dispenser of aspect 1 further including a labelholder.

39. The medication dispenser of aspect 38 wherein the label holder issized independent of the size of the medication dispenser.

40. The medication dispenser of aspect 38 further including a panelconnected to the label holder, the panel having a series of pinsattached integrally thereto and wherein the label holder has a series ofholes defined therethrough, such that the series of pins aligns with theseries of holes and when the panel is pushed into the label holder, thepins are configured to put holes in an attached label.

41. A method including:

-   receiving, by a lockable medication container, a medication;-   receiving authorization credentials input by a pharmacist;-   comparing input credentials from a user to the authorization    credentials;-   if the input credentials match the authorization credentials,    granting the user access to the medication, wherein the granting    access step includes dispensing a dosage of the medication to the    user.

42. The method of aspect 41 wherein the dispensing a dosage stepincludes rotating a push wing disposed within the lockable medicationcontainer and a rotatable assembly connected to a bottom of the lockablemedication container, wherein the push wing and rotatable assemblyrotate with respect to a cone having a sloped surface and an openingdefined therein, and wherein the rotatable assembly has a well, whereinthe well includes an opening defined in the rotatable assembly, andwherein the well rotates along with the rotatable assembly, and whereinthe well is periodically aligned with the chute as the rotatableassembly rotates, wherein the medication is dispensed through the chutewhen the well is aligned with the chute.

43. The method of aspect 42 wherein the lockable medication containerincludes a reversible motor, and wherein the push wing and rotatableassembly rotates based on power supplied by the reversible motor.

44. The method of aspect 43, wherein the reversible motor rotates therotatable assembly in one direction, and if the medication to bedispensed is caught in the well, the reversible motor rotates therotatable assembly in the opposite direction.

45. The method of aspect 43 wherein the reversible motor rotates in adirection determined by a sensor.

46. The method of aspect 41 wherein the sensor detects an increase inamperage and reverses the direction based on the increase in amperage.

Aspect Set B - Security System for a Locking Medication Container

47. An apparatus for dispensing medication including:

-   a lockable medication dispenser having a medication storage    compartment and a lockable cover, the lockable medication dispenser    configured to secure medication inside the storage compartment and    to prevent unauthorized access to the medication;-   a security system in associated with the lockable medication    dispenser;-   a sensor operable in conjunction with the security system ;-   a foaming module in communication with the lockable medication    dispenser, wherein the foaming module includes at least two pouches,    each of the two pouches containing a separate chemical; and-   wherein, upon detection of a breach of the security system, the    foaming module is configured to release each of the separate    chemicals into a combination chamber and then into the medication    storage compartment, wherein a combining of each of the separate    chemicals and the medications renders the medications unusable.

48. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the sensor detects a break in awire disposed within the medication storage compartment.

49. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the sensor is an optical sensorconfigured to detect when a lever within the lockable medicationdispenser is moved.

50. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein a breach of the security systemgenerates an alarm.

51. The apparatus of aspect 51 wherein the alarm is transmitted to athird party.

52. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the security system includes atamper resistant cover having one-way tabs that disconnect from thecover when pried open, wherein disconnect tabs indicates a breach.

53. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the security system includes acontinuous wire extending around a perimeter of the medication storagecompartment and a power source in communication with the continuous wireand the sensor, and wherein the sensor is configured to detect a breachif the continuous wire is broken.

54. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the security system includes aset of diagnostic procedures and a critical failure of the diagnosticfeatures considered a breach of the security system.

55. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the sensor monitors a batterycompartment associated with the lockable medication dispenser and anopening of the battery compartment is considered a breach.

56. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the security system includes ause-by date by which the medication should be used and wherein thesecurity system compares current date information to the use-by date,and if the current date information is later than the use-by date of themedication, the security system determines a breach has occurred.

57. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein if a breach is detected, thedispenser is disabled and the foaming module is not activated.

58. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the security system includes acontinuous wire extending around a perimeter of the medication storagecompartment and a power source in communication with the continuous wireand the sensor, wherein the dispenser includes a first material andwherein the continuous wire is enclosed in a second material, andwherein the first material and the second material have differenthardness properties.

59. The apparatus of aspect 47 wherein the foaming module is configuredto be removed and replaced with a new foaming module.

60. The apparatus of aspect 59 wherein the foaming module is removedbased on an expiration date of one or more of the separate chemicals.

61. A method including:

-   Securing a medication in a lockable medication dispenser;-   Activating a sensor associated with the lockable medication    dispenser, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor integrity of    the lockable medication dispenser and wherein the sensor is in    communication with a foaming module;-   Sensing a breach in the integrity of the lockable medication    dispenser;-   Releasing a first chemical from the foaming module based on the    sensing step, wherein the chemical interacts with the medication to    render the medication unusable.

62. The method of aspect 61 further including a second chemical and thereleasing step includes releasing the first chemical and the secondchemical, and wherein a combination of the first chemical and the secondchemical interacts with the medication to render the medicationunusable.

63. The method of aspect 62 wherein the sensing step includes acontinuous wire disposed in a circumference around the medicationdispenser and the breach is a break in the wire.

64. The method of aspect 62 wherein the sensing step includes acontinuous wire disposed around a battery compartment and the breach isa break in the wire.

65. The method of aspect 62 wherein the sensing step includes an openingof the medication dispenser using unauthorized credentials.

66. The method of aspect 62 wherein the sensing step includes a break ina medication storage compartment in the lockable medication dispenser.

67. The method of aspect 62 wherein the sensing step includes a failureof a set of diagnostic procedures associated with the lockablemedication dispenser.

68. The method of aspect 62 wherein the sensing step includes comparinga use-by date of the medication to a current date and if the currentdate is after the use-by date, then performing the releasing step.

Aspect Set C - Portal for Using aLockable Medication Container

69. A method including:

-   a. receiving a prescription for a medication from a health care    provider for the patient;-   b. accessing a profile of a patient from a dashboard on a portal,    wherein the portal is connected to a database and a computer    program; wherein the profile includes patient data;-   c. accessing a health care provider profile through the portal,    wherein the health care provider profile includes privileges    associated with the health care provider for each medication    dispenser based on medication and patient profile;-   d. entering the prescription specifying the medication into the    database through the portal;-   e. entering, by the pharmacist, into the portal, instructions on    dispensing the medication based on the prescription [or    recommendations by the doctor]-   f. providing parameters of the medication dispenser to the    pharmacist, the parameters including a size of the locking    medication container and a size of an adapter based on the    identification of the medication and the prescription-   g. loading medication in the medication dispenser pursuant to    instructions;-   h. connecting the medication container to the portal; and-   i. automatically configuring the medication container for    distribution of the medication to the user using an identification    of the medication and the health care provider profile and the    instructions.

70. The method of aspect 69 wherein the instructions compriseinstructions for disposing the medication in the locking medicationcontainer and disposing the medication in an unsecure compartment in alocking medication dispenser.

71. The method of aspect 70 wherein the instructions comprise disposinga majority of the medication in the locking medication container anddisposing a minority of the medication in the unsecure department.

72. The method of aspect 69 wherein the instructions are based onrecommendations from the physician or health care provider.

73. The method of aspect 69 further including placing the lockingmedication container is placed in set-up mode.

74. The method of aspect 73 wherein the set-up mode includes generatinguser credentials and associating the user credentials with themedication dispenser.

75. The method of aspect 74 wherein the user credentials comprise one ofaccess codes, biometric detection, and override codes.

76. The method of aspect 69 wherein the medication container is incommunication with the portal.

77. The method of aspect 76 further including generating an alert whenthe medication is dispensed to the user.

78. The method of aspect 77 further including receiving, through theportal, the alert when a medication is dispensed to the user and whenthe medication is retrieved.

79. The method of aspect 76 further including receiving, through theportal, an indication of an unauthorized attempt to access themedication and disabling the access credentials through the portal if anumber of unauthorized attempts exceeds a threshold number.

80. The method of aspect 75 further including resetting, through theportal, updated access credentials and providing the updated accesscredentials to a user.

81. The method of aspect 69 further including authenticating, throughthe portal, the health care provider prescribing the medication bycomparing the health care provider credentials to a set of storedcredentials in the database.

82. The method of aspect 81 wherein for a first-time authentication, thehealth care provider supplies a secure personal identification numberaccessible by the pharmacist, and wherein the first-time authenticationis based on the pharmacist entering the personal identification number.

83. The method of aspect 69 wherein configuring the locking medicationdispenser further includes setting one or more attributes of the lockingmedication dispenser based on a nature of the medication and preferencesof the health care provider.

84. The method of aspect 83 wherein the one or more attributes includesa dispensing schedule having a periodic dispensing schedule or adispensing schedule based on a request.

85. The method of aspect 83 wherein the one or more attributes includesadding a foaming module configured to destroy the medication upon abreach of the locking medication dispenser.

86. The method of aspect 85 wherein an indication that the medicationwas destroyed is received through the portal.

87. The method of aspect 83 wherein the one or more attributes includeaudio or visual alerts when the medication is dispensed.

88. The method of aspect 83 wherein the one or more attributes includeaudio or visual alerts when the medication is retrieved.

89. The method of aspect 88 further including generating a time stampassociated with the retrieval of the medication.

90. The method of aspect 69 wherein the locking medication container islocked or unlocked through the portal by an authorized individual.

91. The method of aspect 90 further including permitting the lockingmedication container to be unlocked by the authorized individual on anemergency basis.

92. The method of aspect 91 wherein the manner for locking and unlockingthe locking medication container comprise one of entering a credentialor receiving a remote signal.

93. The method of aspect 69 wherein the patient data includes thepatient’s current or past medicines and the patient’s medicineallergies, if any.

94. The method of aspect 69 further including placing the lockingmedication container is performed in a set-up mode and once the set-upmode is completed, the locking medication container transitions to ademonstration mode.

95. The method of aspect 94 wherein the demonstration mode includes theuser performing steps to use the locking medication container andaccessing dispensed medication.

96. The method of aspect 95 wherein a message is uploaded to the portalupon successful completion of a demonstration performed in thedemonstration mode.

96. The method of aspect 69 wherein an inventory of components of themedication dispenser is presented on the portal.

97. A method including:

-   generating credentials to access a lockable medication container,    wherein the credentials include a demonstration credential for    operation of the lockable medication container in a demonstration    mode;-   receiving, through the portal, confirmation that the user has    completed operation of the lockable medication container in the    demonstration mode; and-   if the user successfully completed the demonstration mode, providing    authorization credentials through the portal for use of the lockable    medication container in an operational mode.

98. The method of aspect 97 wherein the demonstration mode includes useof the lockable medication container using placebos in place of amedication.

99. The method of aspect 97 wherein the demonstration mode includes useof the lockable medication container using a real medication.

100. The method of aspect 97 wherein the demonstration mode includesinstructions on accessing a medication using pharmacist suppliedcredentials.

101. The method of aspect 97 wherein the demonstration mode is performedby a customer.

102. The method of aspect 69 wherein there is a common databaseaccessible through the portal and the common database includes data froma plurality of pharmacies, a plurality of health care providers and aplurality of users.

Aspect Set D - A System of Medical Lockable Containers and Methods ofUse Thereof

103. A system including:

-   (a) a first locking medication dispenser including:    -   a first outer container;    -   a first inner container configured to be disposed within the        first outer container and further configured to receive a first        medication; and    -   a first rotatable assembly connected to a bottom of the first        inner container, the first rotatable assembly having a hole        defined therein, the hole referred to as a first well, and        wherein the first well rotates with the rotation of the first        rotatable assembly;-   (b) a second locking medication dispenser including:    -   a second outer container”    -   a second inner container configured to be disposed within the        second outer container and further configured to receive a        second medication; and    -   a second rotatable assembly connected to a bottom of the second        inner container; the second rotatable assembly having a hole        defined therein, the hole referred to as a second well, and        wherein the second well rotates with the rotation of the second        rotatable assembly;-   (c) a base, wherein the base is coupled to the first locking    medication dispenser and the second locking medication dispenser,    wherein the base has a first chute defined therein coinciding with a    location of the first inner container and a second chute defined    therein coinciding with a location of the second inner container,    wherein the first chute is periodically positioned under the first    well when the first rotatable assembly is rotating and the second    chute is periodically positioned under the second well when the    second rotatable assembly is rotating.

104. The system of aspect 103 wherein the base is configured to supplypower to the first medication dispenser and the second medicationdispenser.

105. The system of aspect 103 wherein the first opening in the base andthe second opening in the base are sized to accommodate a maximum sizeof the first medication and the second medication.

106. The system of aspect 105 wherein the first opening in the base andthe second opening in the base are in communication with a common chutein the base to provide access to the first medication and the secondmedication to a user.

107. The system of aspect 106 wherein the common chute opens to a commonpill dispenser box.

108. The system of aspect 107 wherein the common chute has a sensordisposed therein and wherein the sensor is configured to detect when thefirst medication or the second medication is retrieved.

109. The system of aspect 108 wherein the first medication is retrievedprior to the second medication being dispensed.

110. The system of aspect 109 further including a notification generatedwhen the first medication is retrieved and wherein dispensing a secondmedication is contingent on receipt of the notification by the secondlockable medication dispenser that the first medication has beenretrieved.

111. The system of aspect 108 wherein the first medication and thesecond medication are dispensed prior to either the first medication orthe second medication being retrieved.

112. The system of aspect 109 wherein a time stamp is generated when thefirst medication is retrieved and when the second medication isretrieved.

113. The system of aspect 103 wherein the first locking medicationdispenser and the second locking medication dispenser are operatedindependently.

114. The system of aspect 103 wherein the first locking medicationdispenser and the second locking medication dispenser are operated intandem, wherein dispensing a first medication is coordinated withdispensing a second medication.

115. The system of aspect 103 wherein the base includes a basecontroller that is communication with the first locking medicationdispenser and the second locking medication dispenser.

116. The system of aspect 115 wherein the base controller coordinatesthe dispensing of the first medication and the second medication basedon the prescription indicating a time interval between medications.

117. The system of aspect 115 wherein the base controller coordinatesthe dispensing of the first medication and the second medication basedon the prescription indicating interactions between the first medicationand the second medication.

118. The system of aspect 103 wherein the first locking medicationdispenser and the second locking medication dispenser are stackable oneon top of the other.

119. The system of aspect 103 wherein there in no chute if the firstmedication container or the second medication container is positioneddirectly on the base.

120. The system of aspect 103 wherein the base is rotatable.

Aspect Set E - Communication System for a Locking Medical Container

121. A system for dispensing medication including:

-   a lockable medication dispenser having a medication storage    compartment and a lockable cover, the lockable medication dispenser    configured to secure medication inside the storage compartment and    to prevent unauthorized access to the medication;-   a first sensor integrated into the medication dispenser, wherein the    sensor is configured to detect when a medication has been retrieved    from the medication dispenser;-   and a storage medium for recording data generated by the at least    one sensor; and-   a communications module integral to the medication dispenser in    communication with the first sensor and the storage medium, wherein    the communications module includes a transceiver configured to    communicate with an external device, and wherein the communications    module receives a first signal from the sensor that the medication    has been retrieved and applies a time stamp indicative of when the    medication has been retrieved to create dispensing data, and wherein    the dispensing data is stored in the storage medium.

122. The system of aspect 121 wherein the external device is one of asmart phone, tablet, or personal computer of a user and wherein acommunications protocol is one of either Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or near fieldcommunications.

123. The system of aspect 122 further including an application runningon one of the smart phone, personal computer, or tablet, wherein theapplication is programmed to receive the dispensing data.

124. The system of aspect 121 further including a global positioningsystem associated with the medication dispenser.

125. The system of aspect 124 further including an application runningon one of the smart phone, personal computer or tablet, and wherein thecommunications module transmits a position of the medication containerto the application.

126. The system of aspect 121 wherein the communications module isconfigured to transmit data to a pharmacy computer system when themedication container is in proximity to the pharmacy computer system ora physician computer system.

127. The system of aspect 126 wherein the data is transmitted throughone of Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi or near field communications protocols.

128. The system of aspect 121 wherein the communications module includescellular communication functionality and wherein the communicationmodule transmits data to a remote computer system using the cellularcommunication functionality.

129. The system of aspect 128 wherein the remote computer system iseither a pharmacy computer system or a health care provider computersystem.

130. The system of aspect 121 further including a security system and asecond sensor operable in conjunction with the security system, andwherein the communications module is further configured to receive asecond signal from the second sensor and store the second signal in thestorage medium.

131. The system of aspect 130 wherein the second sensor is configured todetect a security breach and the second signal is indicative of asecurity breach to form security breach data.

132. The system of aspect 131 wherein the first signal and the secondsignal are transmitted to an application running on a smart phone,tablet or personal computer.

133. The system of aspect 121 wherein the communications module isconfigured to transmit dispensing data and security breach data to aremote computer system when the medication container is in proximity tothe remote computer system.

134. The system of aspect 133 wherein the data is transmitted throughone of Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi or near field communications protocols to apharmacy computer system or a healthcare service provider.

135. The system of aspect 121 wherein the communications module includescellular communication functionality and wherein the communicationmodule transmits the dispensing data and security breach data to apharmacy computer system or a healthcare provider computer system usingthe cellular communication functionality.

136. The system of aspect 135 wherein the dispensing data and securitybreach data is accessible through a portal.

137. The system of aspect 121 wherein each medication container has aunique identifier and unique media access control address.

138. The system of aspect 121 wherein the communication module includesa wireless communication module.

139. The system of aspect 121 wherein the communications module includesa wired communication module.

140. The system of aspect 121 further including a module configured todetect anomalies, and wherein the communication system is configured totransmit anomalies to a remote computer.

141. The system of aspect 140 wherein the anomalies comprise notaccessing the medication in accordance with the schedule.

142. The system of aspect 140 wherein the anomalies comprisephysiological anomalies related to the user, wherein the physiologicalanomalies are based on one of a pulse oximeter reading, a blood pressurereading, a temperature reading or a heart rate reading.

143. The system of aspect 121 further including a second lockablemedication container and wherein the communications system is incommunication with the lockable medication container and the secondlockable medication container.

144. The system of aspect 121 wherein the communication module iscontrollable from an application running on a tablet, smart phone orpersonal computer.

145. The system of aspect 121 further including an electronic screenattached to the locking medication container and wherein thecommunication module is configured to receive data for display on theelectronic label.

146. The system of aspect 145 wherein the data is instructions fortaking the medication.

147. The system of aspect 145 wherein the data is an electronic label.

148. The system of aspect 121 wherein the first sensor is furtherconfigured to record a deviation from a frequency of the medication.

149. The system of aspect 148 wherein the deviation is reported to apharmacy or a health care provider by the communications module.

According to some examples, a process for a patient to obtain medicationfrom a prescription securing device includes a patient receiving for aprescription for a medication (e.g., a narcotic). For example, thepatient may receive a paper, call-in, or electronic prescription from amedical doctor. IN an example, the prescription may be received throughor from a website, e.g., rx.com, hosted by a server. In an example, thepatient may register for a website or log into a server, e.g., creatinga username and password linked to user or patient information (e.g.,personal information, insurance information, health information,prescription history, etc.).

In some examples, the pharmacist may manually enter the patient’sinformation into a pharmacy database and, in other examples, some or allof the patient’s information may be transferred from the patient’sprofile or patient database to a pharmacy database (e.g., website,server, cloud-based storage, etc.). The pharmacy database may also storeone or more credentials associated with the pharmacist, includingpharmacist/pharmacy license numbers, DEA registration numbers, etc.

According to some examples, several different types of disposable orreplaceable parts may be available. For example, each type of disposableor replaceable part may be sized or optimized for a particular size orshape (e.g., a range of sizes and shapes) of medications. For examples,a disposable or replaceable part may be specified for or used withmedication such as pills having a diameter within a specific range ofdiameters. Moreover, the medications that are compatible with a specificdisposable or replaceable part may be identified based on attributessuch an name or National Drug Code (NDC) number. For example, apharmacist may log into a database and, based on an NDC numberassociated with a prescribed medication, determine which disposable orreplaceable part is compatible with the medication. The database mayinform the pharmacist whether that disposable or replaceable part is instock or whether another disposable or replaceable part may be used asan alternative (e.g., based on the size or shape of the pill ormedication).

In some examples, information associated with the patient, subscription,or prescription is transferred to the secured medication container. Forexample, the pharmacist may transfer patient information (user id,password, etc.), prescription information (e.g., medication name ortype, dosage schedule, etc.) to the container via Bluetooth. Moreover,the container may determine a schedule of medication based on thetransferred information.

In some examples, the secure prescription container may be assigned aunique identifier. For example, the unique identifier may be used todistinguish a secure prescription container from a group of other secureprescription containers. In some examples, a user or the pharmacist mayassign one or more fingerprints of the user to the secure medicationcontainer. Moreover, an override such as a keycode or passcode may beassigned to the secure medication container. For example, the overridemay be used by a patient or pharmacist in the event that the fingerprintscanner is inoperable.

In some examples, a database (e.g., pharmacy database, databaseassociated with the container, etc.) may store information regarding thenumber of pills prescribed on stored in the secured medication container(e.g., secured or unsecured). Moreover, the database may includeinformation regarding how many unsecured pills are provided by thepharmacist.

In some examples, a test scenario may be performed with a patient orrecipient of the secure medication container. For example, a pharmacistmay instruct or observe a user or patient as they operate the securemedication container. For example, the user or patient may place orswipe their finger across the fingerprint scanner, the device may matchthe fingerprint of the user to a stored fingerprint scan (e.g., storedlocally on a memory of the secure medication container or on a remoteserver), and then the user my press a dispense button or otherwiseinstruct the medication container to dispense a dose of the medication.Moreover, after confirming that the patient has successfully dispensedthe medication, the pharmacist may add the dispensed medication to theunsecured pouch or an unsecured medication bottle.

In some examples, two or more secured containers may be linkedautomatically (e.g., based on a connection to a database, server, cloudsystem, etc.) or linked manually (e.g., by a doctor or pharmacist). Forexample, two containers may be assigned to a particular user or patientand may coordinate dispensing of medication based on relativeinformation, including minimizing drug interactions or side effects andmaximizing efficacy of the medications. Moreover, one or moremedications may not be dispensed or not be dispense within a specifictime period based on negative drug interactions (e.g., no simultaneousdispensing opioids and benzodiazepines).

In some examples, the patient may be limited in the number of attemptsto receive medication from the secured container, e.g., a particularnumber of fingerprint scans or override code attempts. In an example, auser may be prompted for an override code after three or more failedfingerprint scans. Moreover, a user may be directed to take theunsecured medication and contact their pharmacist after repeated failedattempts.

In some examples, the user or patient may access a website or downloadan application to a device (e.g., a laptop, desktop, mobile computingdevice, etc.). For example, the application may provide directions tothe user or patient, such as when to take medication. Moreover, theapplication may collect information, such as when the patient attemptsto receive medication or how often the patient receives the medication.In some examples, the device my poll the user to determine a state ofthe user (e.g., pain, awareness, etc.). For example, the device mayrequire the user to perform an action (e.g., copying or entering a code)to determine a state of awareness, comprehension, etc. of the user.

In some examples, the user or patient may use the application to accessthe medication stored in the secured container. For example, a userdevice running the application may be connected to the secured containervia a wired or wireless connection. The application may prompt the userfor a passcode or to scan their fingerprint and direct the securedcontainer to dispense the medication based on satisfying the securityprotocols of the application.

In some examples, the user may receive notifications regarding themedication of the secured container or any linked containers. Forexample, the user may be notified by the container, an application(e.g., a push notification), website, or database associated with thecontainer, or by email or text message when to one or more medicationsare ready or appropriate to be dispensed (e.g., based on the prescribedtime interval of the medication or to minimize interactions of multiplemedications).

In some examples, a physician or pharmacist may receive information fromthe medication container. For example, the pharmacist or physician mayaccess information stored on a server or obtained directly from thedevice (e.g., via wired or wireless transmission). For example, aphysician may wirelessly receive information from the device when apatient brings the device into the physician’s waiting area. Physicianor pharmacist information may include data relating to the patient oruser’s interactions with the device. For example, the pharmacist ordoctor may obtain information including frequency, dates, or times thatthe patient received medication, as well as how the medication wasunlocked (e.g., via fingerprint or unlock code). Other information mayinclude the number or amount of medication that has been taken, as wellas a number or amount of unused medication (e.g., secured or unsecured).

In some implementations, the data associated with the use by the patientmay be analyzed to determine a future prescription plan or patient careplan. For example, analysis of the information (e.g., by a processor ofthe secured device or a processor connected to a database containing theinformation) may determine that the user may have sold the bottle basedon a low percentage of fingerprint scanner use and a corresponding highpercentage of override code use. Moreover, analysis of the informationmay show that the user does not need to be prescribed the same amount ofmedication, e.g., based on an identification that the user routinelyuses the medication less frequently that prescribed.

In some examples, the data associated with the user by the patient maybe analyzed to identify a particular trend associated with the patent’suse of the medication. For example, it may be identified that thepatient repeatedly requests dispensing of medication prior to theearliest time the medication is available (e.g., based on the prescribedtime interval). As another example, it may be determined that thepatient is developing a dependency on a medication (e.g., an opioid) ifthe patient repeatedly requests medication prior to a period ofavailability (e.g., prematurely based on the prescribed dosage andtiming).

In some examples, the data associated with the user may include anydeviations from a prescribed prescription plan, e.g., requestingmedication more or less frequently than described. Moreover, in someexamples, the data associated with the user may include a pattern withrespect to the prescribed prescription plan, e.g., medication requestedmore or less often than prescribed at specific points in the day.Moreover, the data may include data points or trending associated withuse of any unsecured medication. For example, a pattern of depleting allavailable unsecured pain medication may be indicative of a possibledependency on the pain medication.

In some examples, the secure medication container may include a GPSlocation or tracking device. For example, the information seen by adoctor or pharmacist may include a GPS location of the user at the time.Moreover, in some examples, a user may be informed (e.g., via email,text message, push notification, etc.) to take a medication based on alocation of the user. For example, certain medications such as painkillers may be preferable to take at a user’s home address.

As shown in FIG. 8 , an illustrative medication container may be turnedon (e.g., by double clicking an alphanumeric input). For example, whenthe medication container is turned on, the screen may also turn on.Moreover, the medication container may automatically attempt to pairwith a user’s phone or computing device (e.g., via Bluetooth or otherwireless connection). The medication container may communicate with theuser via text on the screen, audible beeps, etc. For example, themedication container may inform the user when an incorrect fingerprinthas been entered or may prompt the user for an override code. If theuser is unable to operate the medication container (e.g., failedfingerprint scans or failed override code attempts), the medicationcontainer may prompt the user to contact a pharmacist and use unsecuredpills in the meantime.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the medication container may determine whethermedication has been successfully dispensed and, if not, the medicationcontainer may provide the user with one or more troubleshooting prompts.For example, the medication container may inform the user via on-screenmessages or audible beeps/indicators that the medication has not beendispensed. Moreover, the medication container may direct the user toperform one or more troubleshooting actions (e.g., turn bottle upsidedown, shake bottle gently, leave on flat surface, etc.).

While the disclosure has been described in connection with the variousembodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that othersimilar embodiments can be used, or modifications and additions can bemade to the described embodiments. For example, the examples of thedisclosure have centered around travel medication. The disclosure wouldbe equally applicable if the medical container was not portable and thusthe material of the medical container being more substantial in size andstrength to prevent breakage. For example, the medical container may bein a kiosk at a camp or conference center wherein certain medicationswould be preloaded into the medical container and the systems andmethods of the disclosure used to provide access to the medicationinside the medical container. Therefore, the travel packaging formedications as described herein should not be limited to any singleembodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope inaccordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for dispensing medication comprising: alockable medication dispenser having a medication storage compartmentand a lockable cover, the lockable medication dispenser configured tosecure medication inside the storage compartment and to preventunauthorized access to the medication; a security system in associatedwith the lockable medication dispenser; a sensor operable in conjunctionwith the security system ; a foaming module in communication with thelockable medication dispenser, wherein the foaming module comprises atleast two pouches, each of the two pouches containing a separatechemical; and wherein, upon detection of a breach of the securitysystem, the foaming module is configured to release each of the separatechemicals into a combination chamber and then into the medicationstorage compartment, wherein a combining of each of the separatechemicals and the medications renders the medications unusable.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor detects a break in a wiredisposed within the medication storage compartment.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the sensor is an optical sensor configured to detectwhen a lever within the lockable medication dispenser is moved.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein a breach of the security system generatesan alarm.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the alarm is transmittedto a third party.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securitysystem comprises a tamper resistant cover having one-way tabs thatdisconnect from the cover when pried open, wherein disconnect tabsindicates a breach.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securitysystem comprises a continuous wire extending around a perimeter of themedication storage compartment and a power source in communication withthe continuous wire and the sensor, and wherein the sensor is configuredto detect a breach if the continuous wire is broken.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the security system comprises a set of diagnosticprocedures and a critical failure of the diagnostic features considereda breach of the security system.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thesensor monitors a battery compartment associated with the lockablemedication dispenser and an opening of the battery compartment isconsidered a breach.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securitysystem comprises a use-by date by which the medication should be usedand wherein the security system compares current date information to theuse-by date, and if the current date information is later than theuse-by date of the medication, the security system determines a breachhas occurred.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein if a breach isdetected, the dispenser is disabled and the foaming module is notactivated.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the security systemcomprises a continuous wire extending around a perimeter of themedication storage compartment and a power source in communication withthe continuous wire and the sensor, wherein the dispenser comprises afirst material and wherein the continuous wire is enclosed in a secondmaterial, and wherein the first material and the second material havedifferent hardness properties.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein afirst physical property of the first material is different that a secondphysical property of the second material.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12wherein the second physical property has a different tensile propertythan the first material.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thefoaming module is configured to be removed and replaced with a newfoaming module.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein instead orremoving the foaming module, changing at least one of the chemicals inthe foaming module.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein a time stampis captured when one of the foaming module or chemicals have beenchanged.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the foaming module isremoved based on an expiration date of one or more of the separatechemicals.
 19. A method comprising: Securing a medication in a lockablemedication dispenser; Activating a sensor associated with the lockablemedication dispenser, wherein the sensor is configured to monitorintegrity of the lockable medication dispenser and wherein the sensor isin communication with a foaming module; Sensing a breach in theintegrity of the lockable medication dispenser; Releasing a firstchemical from the foaming module based on the sensing step, wherein thechemical interacts with the medication to render the medicationunusable.
 20. The method of claim 11 further comprising a secondchemical and the releasing step comprises releasing the first chemicaland the second chemical, and wherein a combination of the first chemicaland the second chemical interacts with the medication to render themedication unusable.
 21. The method of claim 12 wherein the sensing stepcomprises a continuous wire disposed in a circumference around themedication dispenser and the breach is a break in the wire.
 22. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the sensing step comprises a continuous wiredisposed around a battery compartment and the breach is a break in thewire.
 23. The method of claim 12 wherein the sensing step comprises anopening of the medication dispenser using unauthorized credentials. 24.The method of claim 12 wherein the sensing step comprises a break in amedication storage compartment in the lockable medication dispenser. 25.The method of claim 12 wherein the sensing step comprises a failure of aset of diagnostic procedures associated with the lockable medicationdispenser.
 26. The method of claim 12 wherein the sensing step comprisescomparing a use-by date of the medication to a current date and if thecurrent date is after the use-by date, then performing the releasingstep.